The Meteorological Service yesterday warned that Jamaica could be affected by outbreaks of showers tonight into tomorrow as Tropical Storm Gustav, moves in a northwesterly direction.

Gustav, the seventh storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, is likely to become a hurricane today and is later forecast to enter the Windward Passage before reaching eastern Cuba by tomorrow afternoon.

The Met Service says due to the proximity of the system, Jamaica is likely to be affected by outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms tonight, increasing on Wednesday.

Gustav was formed yesterday afternoon over the central Caribbean Sea, south of Hispaniola. At 4 p.m., the centre of the storm was located about 290 kilometres south-southeast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, or nearly 600 kilometres east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

Moving northwest

It was moving towards the northwest at nearly 22 km/h and a gradual decrease in forward speed is expected over the next day or two.

The Met Service says marine interests should exercise caution as wind and sea conditions will gradually deteriorate this afternoon.

Fishers on the cays and banks are advised to prepare for evacuation, should it become necessary.