Tropical Storm Fiona’s center is approaching Guadeloupe and tropical storm conditions (winds of 39 mph or higher), heavy rain, and strong waves are expected in the Leeward Islands by Friday evening, the National Hurricane Center said.

This storm, packing winds of 60 mph with even higher gusts, was about 495 miles east of the Leeward Islands late Thursday morning.

The tropical storm conditions, which extend 140 miles from the center of the storm, have prompted multiple governments across the region to issue both tropical storm warnings and watches.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including both Vieques and Culebra, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours or 2 days.

Tropical storm warnings now cover Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, St. Barthélemy, and St. Martin.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area within 36 hours or 1 1/2 days.

“The center of Fiona is expected to move across the Leeward Islands tonight and early Saturday, and move near or just south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico late Saturday into Sunday,” the hurricane center wrote.

The storm could fluctuate in strength through the weekend, but is not anticipated to intensify in strength significantly until the middle of next week.

Fiona’s primary impact will be heavy rains from the Leeward Islands to Puerto Rico.

“Considerable flood impacts are possible across eastern portions of Puerto Rico,” the hurricane center warns.

But by early next week, the system is forecast to be near Hispaniola, where it will be weakened by interaction with the island’s mountainous terrain.