A Hurricane Watch has now been issued for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Tomas continues to gain strength.



A Hurricane Watch means that within the next 48 hours Jamaica should start seeing hurricane conditions.



Tomas is now located near latitude 13.5 north and longitude 74.6 west.



It’s moving toward the west near 14 mph or 22 km/hr.



The National Hurricane Centre says a turn toward the west-northwest and northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next 48 hours.



Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph or 65 km/hr with higher gusts and strengthening is forecast and Tomas could regain hurricane strength by Thursday.