A tropical storm watch is now in effect for Jamaica.
The Meteorological Service says Tropical Depression Nine continues to strengthen over the Caribbean Sea while moving closer to the country.
At 4:00 p.m., the centre of the system was located 430 miles east-southeast of Kingston or 390 miles east-southeast of Morant Point.
The tropical depression is moving towards the west-northwest at 15 miles per hour.
A westward motion is expected to begin tonight and continue through Saturday night, followed by a turn towards the northwest and north-northwest on Sunday.
The Met Service says weather conditions in Jamaica should begin to gradually deteriorate Saturday morning, with rainfall associated with the depression's outer bands.
