Tropical Storm Jerry is still forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane later this week, but environmental conditions that have been limiting its development could help to save the Leeward Island from getting hit with hurricane-force winds and rains.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Thursday morning that Jerry will likely have turned out to sea by the time it becomes a hurricane. The NHC's latest track forecast shows Jerry becoming a Cat 1 storm by Friday afternoon after passing near the northern Leeward Islands.

Because the storm's strongest winds are on its east side, forecasters said the islands are not likely to face sustained tropical storm-force winds.

As of 7 a.m. Thursday, Jerry was 355 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands and produc

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