Tropical depression heading towards Jamaica

MIAMI (AP):

Forecasters say a tropical depression is speeding toward a chain of small, popular vacation islands in the Caribbean Sea.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said yesterday afternoon that the system formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is headed west towards the Caribbean. Tropical storm watches are in effect for the islands of Barbados, Dominica, and St Lucia.

The depression's maximum sustained winds are at 35mph (55kph) and the storm is moving to the west at 20mph (32kph).

Forecasters say the storm is expected to strengthen. Its general track takes it towards Jamaica, though forecasters warn that the path of a tropical system can be unpredictable.