A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Cayman Islands and a Tropical Storm Warning is in place for Jamaica, as a system over the Caribbean Sea strengthens.

The National Hurricane Centre says Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen is expected to become a tropical depression or storm today and could be near or at hurricane intensity when it passes near the Cayman Islands and Cuba tomorrow and Wednesday.

Along with winds, the system is expected to dump rainfall, potentially bringing flooding to portions of Jamaica and Cuba, with mudslides also possible.

The NHC says Heavy rainfall will spread north into Florida and adjacent areas of the Southeast United States during mid to late week.