Tropical Storm Katia has strengthened to a category one hurricane, and is moving westward near 32 km/h, according to the Meterological (MET) Service of Jamaica.

Hurricane Katia could become stronger by this weekend.

At 4:00 a.m. today, the centre of Hurricane Katia was located near latitude 15.2 degrees north and longitude 45.9 degrees west, or about 1710 km east of the Leeward Islands.

The MET Service said a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 km/h, with higher gusts.

The MET Service said Hurricane Katia is not a threat to Jamaica.