Hurricane Threat Grows as Melissa Drifts Near Jamaica’s Southeastern Waters
A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch remain in force for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa lingers almost stationary over the Caribbean Sea to the island’s southeast.
According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, the system’s centre was located near latitude 16.0° North and longitude 75.5° West at 4:00 a.m (Friday).
This places Melissa roughly 445 kilometres southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and about 224 kilometres south-southeast of Morant Point, or 260 kilometres south-southeast of Kingston.
Later today and tonight, Melissa is anticipated to begin drifting slowly toward the northeast and north, before gradually turning westward on Saturday. Forecast models suggest the centre could move close to Jamaica’s southern coast early next week.
Current maximum sustained winds are near 75 km/h (45 mph), with stronger gusts reported. The storm is expected to intensify gradually over the next 24 hours, followed by rapid strengthening this weekend. Meteorologists project that Melissa could become a hurricane by Saturday and possibly reach major hurricane strength (Category 3 or higher) by Sunday.
At present, tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 220 kilometres (140 miles) east of the system’s centre, posing an increasing threat to marine and coastal areas.
Heavy rainfall is expected to be one of Melissa’s most serious impacts. Eastern parishes could receive between 200 and 350 millimetres (8–14 inches) of rain through the weekend, which may lead to significant flooding and landslides. Rainfall activity is expected to spread gradually westward across the island during the coming week.
As the storm nears, strong and gusty winds reaching tropical storm strength are forecast to affect eastern Jamaica later today, with these conditions expanding across the island into the weekend. Hurricane-force winds could begin impacting the country as early as Saturday.
Sea conditions are already worsening, and small craft operators and fishers from the cays and banks are being urged to stay in safe harbour until further notice.
Authorities continue to closely track Tropical Storm Melissa and are advising all Jamaicans to remain alert to subsequent bulletins and official updates.
A Tropical Storm Warning indicates that sustained winds between 63 and 118 km/h (39–73 mph) are expected within 36 hours or less, while a Hurricane Watch signals the potential for winds of 119 km/h (74 mph) or higher within 48 hours.
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