The tropical storm watch for Jamaica has been upgraded to a tropical storm warning.

A hurricane watch is also in effect for the island, as hurricane Elsa barrels into the eastern Caribbean.

This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 63-118 kilometres per hour are expected to affect Jamaica, while hurricane conditions also pose a possible threat to the island in 36 hours or less.

At 10:00 AM the centre of hurricane Elsa was located about 1,680 kilometres east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

This is also 10 kilometres north of St. Vincent in the eastern Caribbean.

Elsa is moving quickly towards the west-northwest near 46 kilometres per hour and this motion is expected to continue for several days.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 120 kilometres per hour, with higher gusts, and little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.

On its forecast track, the centre of hurricane Elsa will continue to move over the eastern Caribbean today, and through the central Caribbean, south of Hispaniola, on Saturday before passing just east and north of Jamaica on Sunday morning.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms, along with winds reaching tropical-storm force, could begin to impact eastern sections of Jamaica as early as Saturday night.

Dangerous sea conditions associated with the hurricane are expected to spread across the Caribbean over the next 24-36 hours.

All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.