Tropical Storm warning issued for Jamaica as Sandy approaches, is expected to strengthen

The Associated Press

MIAMI - A tropical storm warning has been issued for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Sandy approaches and is expected to strengthen.

Sandy's maximum sustained winds early Tuesday are near 45 mph (75 kph). But the U.S. National Hurricane Center says Sandy is forecast to be a hurricane when it nears Jamaica on Wednesday.

The storm is centred about 345 miles (555 kilometres) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and is moving north near 3 mph (6 kph).

Meanwhile, a tropical depression in the Atlantic is expected to become a tropical storm later in the day. The depression's maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 kph). The depression is centred about 825 miles (1,325 kilometres) northeast of the Leeward Islands and is moving north-northeast near 12 mph (19 kph).