The United States National Hurricane Centre says Tropical Storm Grace is forecast to become a hurricane by Friday as it made landfall in St Mary this afternoon.

It said that Grace regained its tropical storm status Tuesday while dumping heavy showers on Haiti and Jamaica.

Grace increased its sustained winds to 50 mph this morning and is located about 75 miles east of Montego Bay, and is moving west-northwest at 15 mph.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica this morning upgraded Jamaica’s status from tropical storm watch to warning.

More information later.