KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Tropical Storm Watch issued on Sunday remains in effect for the country as an area of disturbance over the Caribbean Sea is still being called a potential tropical cyclone as it begins to pass south of Jamaica.

According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, the system could become a Tropical Storm sometime on Monday. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions could start to affect the island within 48 hours,

In their 5:00 am bulletin, the Met Service said tropical cyclone number fifteen was centred near latitude 15.8 degrees North, longitude 76.1 degrees West or about 230 kilometres (125 miles) south of Morant Point, Jamaica.

“The system is moving west near 19 km/h (12 mph) and a westward to west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days. On the current track, the system is expected to pass south of Jamaica on Monday and south of the Cayman Islands on Tuesday,” the Met Service tweeted.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 65 km/h (40mph), with high gusts.

Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the system is expected to be near hurricane strength by Wednesday.

“The system has the potential to produce locally heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds primarily over eastern and southern parishes on Monday. Residents should be on the alert for flash flooding in flood-prone areas,” the Met Service warned.