ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 is tracking an active tropical system in the Caribbean Sea.
11 a.m. update:
Tropical Storm Melissa weakened slightly Thursday morning but remains on track to intensify rapidly this weekend in the Caribbean.
The 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center had winds of 45 mph.
Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect for Jamaica, with Hurricane Watches continuing for Jamaica and southern sections of Haiti.
Interests in the Dominican Republic and Cuba should continue to monitor future forecasts.
Melissa is anticipated to strengthen through late week and become a hurricane on Saturday.
The forecast has Melissa becoming a major hurricane on Sunday and a Category 4 system on Monday.
Melissa is expected to meander the next several days, then turn to the west over the weekend.
The storm is expected to approach Jamaica and southern Haiti late week into the weekend.
Hurricane conditions are possible in Jamaica and southern Haiti from late Friday into Saturday, with tropical storm-force winds arriving in Jamaica on Friday.
The complex will be capable of producing 6-12 inches of rainfall in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, with much higher amounts possible depending on the exact track.
In the long term, the system is anticipated to lift northeastward, but the exact track remains highly uncertain.
At this time, Melissa is anticipated to stay south and southeast of Florida.
Melissa formed on Tuesday morning and is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Stay with Severe Weather Center 9 for the latest on the tropics.
Original report:
Tropical Storm Melissa is bringing heavy rains and flooding to parts of the Caribbean, affecting Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
The storm is moving slowly, raising concerns about flooding, flash flooding, and landslides in the affected areas.
Melissa is expected to gradually strengthen and may become a hurricane by the weekend, with the potential to reach Category 4 strength by early next week.
Residents of the Caribbean islands are bracing for prolonged periods of strong winds due to Melissa’s slow movement.
The storm’s gradual strengthening poses a significant threat to the region, with meteorologists closely monitoring its development.
Although Central Florida is not expected to be impacted by Melissa, the situation is being monitored closely.
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