Forecast maps from the outlet—provided to Newsweek prior to the NHC’s announcement the system had reached tropical storm strength —showed that the area could see between one and two inches of rain late Thursday and into Friday. In addition, wind gusts across the islands could reach 40 to 60 miles per hour, according to the forecast maps.

Hurricane Priscilla neared Category 3 status on Tuesday in the Pacific as a new tropical storm formed and then strengthened in the Atlantic, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Forecasters warned of "steady strengthening," and Jerry is expected to become a hurricane within the next day or two.