Tropical Depression Eighteen has formed over the Caribbean Sea, with advisories in place for a number of areas.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands, a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Watch have been issued for parts of Cuba and a Tropical Storm Warning is in place for Jamaica.

The National Hurricane Centre says the system is expected to move near Jamaica tonight, be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday, and approach Cuba on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h with higher gusts.

It adds that steady strengthening is forecast, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today and a hurricane by Wednesday.