Heavy downpours over the next two days are expected to dump a significant amount of rain on The Bahamas leading to heavy flooding in certain area, meteorologists warned Tuesday.

According to officials at the Department of Meteorology, weather models are projecting total rainfall amounts of between two and five inches, which will affect the northwest and central Bahamas through to Thursday evening.

Residents in low lying and flood prone areas are being warned to make preparations to protect life and property during localised flooding.

Forecasters say a broad trough of low pressure along with deep tropical moisture south of Cuba will gradually lift northwards across The Bahamas bringing unsettled weather over the islands over the next few days.

The rainy season officially kicked off a few weeks ago. Nearly 10 inches of rain was dumped on to New Providence – a number that had not been seen in nearly 20 years.

Meteorologists said more rainy weather is expected as the country heads further into the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30.