Tropical Storm Jerry is expected to move northwestward, then north in the coming days, as meteorologists say it is possible the storm could reach hurricane strength this week.

While Jerry is not currently projected to directly impact the U.S., the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that the system could bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the northern Leeward Islands, in the Caribbean Sea.

In a 5 a.m. AST update on Wednesday, the NHC said the system was located around 890 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands.

"Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 23 mph (37 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue with a decrease in forward speed during the next couple of days, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest and north beginning on Friday," the agency said.

"On the forecast track, the core of the system is expected to be near or to the north of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday," it added.

The NHC reported that maximum sustained winds had increased to 50 mph and said that Jerry was expected to strengthen in the coming days, potentially becoming a hurricane on Thursday.

Projections from the agency showed the system is expected to eventually curve out to sea, away from the U.S. coastline.

Prior to this, the NHC said parts of the Leeward Islands can expect heavy rainfall on Thursday and into early Friday which could lead to flash-flooding, especially across higher terrain.

In a video update posted to X on Tuesday, NHC deputy director Jamie Rhome said: "Jerry will intensify into a hurricane over the next couple of days passing just east of the northern Leeward Islands where tropical storm watches are now in effect, then turn sharply north over the central Atlantic, potentially impacting Bermuda over the weekend.

"For the East Coast of the United States Jerry will move far enough offshore that it will not have direct impacts... but may increase the rip current risk over the weekend."

AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek on Tuesday: "We still believe that there will be no direct impacts to the U.S. from Jerry. Jerry, combined with the coastal storm that we expect along the East Coast will bring rough surf and dangerous rip currents to the East Coast starting Friday and going into early next week. It is worth noting that the surf will be more tied to the coastal storm rather than to Jerry due to the fact Jerry will be so far away, but it will still contribute."

Forecasts are sometimes subject to change, with the NHC issuing regular forecast updates on its website and social media channels.