The tropical storm Ian, now more organized, is currently moving westward across the central Caribbean Sea, at 22 km/hour, with the potential to affect Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cuba, the Institute of Meteorology reported on Saturday.

Havana, Cuba.- With maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h, higher gusts, and a central pressure dropping to 1003 HP, the storm will continue moving westward.

Formed only a few hours ago, the storm Ian is forecast to reach hurricane status late Sunday or at night.

The storm is located at 14.7 degrees N and 73.7 degrees W, a position that places it in eastern Caribbean waters about 485 km southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 950 km southeast of Grand Cayman.

Ian is the ninth tropical storm of the current hurricane season and the sixth that formed in September, preceded by Danielle, Earl, Fiona, which became hurricanes. (PL)