The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service today (September 14) activated a tropical cyclone alert for the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

Antigua Met, in a statement, said that the alert was issued as Tropical Disturbance AL96 strengthened into Tropical Depression Seven, with more intensification expected over the coming days.

According to the agency, a tropical storm watch may be required for the area later, due to a “reasonable worst-case scenario of the islands being affected by storm-force winds, high seas and minor flooding from possible rainfall totals of one-to-four inches”.

As at 11:00 am Atlantic Standard Time (AST), the centre of Tropical Depression Seven was located near latitude 16.6 North and longitude 49.6 West—or roughly 1,300 kilometres east of the Leeward Islands.

The system is moving west near 22 kilometres/hour and packs maximum sustained winds of 55/kilometres/hour, with higher gusts.

Meteorologists the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipate gradual strengthening for the tropical depression, with Tropical Storm Fiona potentially emerging as early as tonight or Thursday morning.

“On the forecast track, the centre of the system is forecast to move through the Leeward Islands on Friday or Friday night, and be near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend,” the hurricane watchdog said.

In the meantime, the Jamaica Meteorological Service advised that Tropical Depression Seven does not pose a direct threat to the island.

• READ MORE: NHC sounds first alert as disturbance approaches Leeward Islands