An area of low pressure that was 1,300 miles east of the Lesser Antilles yesterday has an 80 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression within the next 48 hours, Chief Meteorological Officer Geoffrey Greene said last night.

Greene said the system, which was moving west northwest at 15 miles per hour, was producing thunderstorms and showers.

He said it will be clearer by Friday whether the system will affect The Bahamas or not. Until then, he said, it is a “wait-and-see game”.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said last night that the threat of the system was a contributing factor in his decision to adjust a seven-day lockdown on New Providence.

Previously, food stores, pharmacies, gas stations and hardware stores were closed. However, Minnis lifted that restriction.

“Given the feedback from community stakeholders and the threat of a weather system that is developing, we are making adjustments to the New Providence lockdown,” he said.

“This is to allow residents who were unable to secure sufficient food, medicine and water to access essential items, and to make the necessary preparations as we monitor the weather system.”