A tropical wave near the Windward Islands could become the year's next named storm later this week after it enters the Caribbean Sea, forecasters with the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Sunday morning.

The system was producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms as of 7 a.m. and is expected to bring heavy rains and gusty winds to portions of the Caribbean through Monday, forecasters said.

There is little chance for development early this week as the system moves quickly west at 20 to 25 mph, but forecasters said it could form later on as it slows down over the central Caribbean.

As of 7 a.m., the system had a 60% chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm within the next week.

Local meteorologist Zack Fradella said Sunday that while late-season Caribbean storms

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