Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to be near Jamaica by Monday.

The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) yesterday afternoon upgraded Ernesto from Tropical Depression #5 to Tropical Storm.

It is reported that the storm's maximum sustained winds are about 50 mph and gradual strengthening is forecast, as it moves across the Windward Islands into the Caribbean.

For the islands of Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, St Lucia, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, a Tropical storm warning is in effect.

Gusty winds and several inches of rain are possible as Ernesto sweeps over these islands.

The storm is currently positioned 295 miles east of the Windward Islands and is moving west at 22 mph.

The NHC said it is possible that Ernesto could become a hurricane sometime this weekend or early next week.

Forecasters expect it to slowly strengthen as it moves westward over the next few days, potentially reaching hurricane strength by Monday, when it would be near Jamaica and southeastern Cuba on its current predicted path.

August and September are historically the most active months for tropical storms and hurricanes.