This satellite image provided by NOAA shows weather systems for Sunday, November 3, 2024. (NOAA via AP)

MIAMI — A weather system in the southwest Caribbean is expected to develop and strengthen this week, causing a tropical storm warning to be issued for Jamaica and a hurricane watch for the Cayman Islands on Sunday, a declared the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The system could also bring heavy rain to Cuba and Florida as well as the northern Gulf Coast later this week, the center said.

As of 4 p.m. Eastern Sunday, the system was located about 555 kilometers south of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h), the center said. It was moving northeast at 7 mph (11 km/h), with a turn to the north then northwest expected.

It was expected to strengthen into a tropical storm on Monday with continued strengthening forecast. A tropical storm is defined as having maximum sustained winds of 39 mph (62.8 km/h) up to 73 mph (117.5 km/h). Hurricane force winds reach 119.1 km/h and above.

The disturbance is expected to occur near Jamaica Monday evening and the Cayman Islands Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the hurricane center, which urged residents in Cuba and the Florida Keys to monitor the storm’s progress. Heavy rain will affect the western Caribbean with totals of 3 to 6 inches (76 to 152 mm) and up to 9 inches (229 mm) expected locally in Jamaica and southern Cuba. Flooding and mudslides are possible in these countries.

Heavy rains will reach Florida and adjacent parts of the southeastern United States by mid to late week, the center said.