Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 6 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025.

Editor's Note: Tropical Storm Melissa could become a hurricane. See the latest update for Friday, Oct. 24.

Tropical Storm Melissa continues to spin in the Caribbean, with heavy rainfall and flooding expected over portions of Hispaniola and Jamaica beginning Thursday, Oct. 23.

The National Hurricane Center said in a 2 p.m. ET advisory on Oct. 22 that Melissa was located about 320 miles south-southwest of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph with higher gusts.

Forecasters said Melissa is moving slowly toward the west, with a slow forward speed and a gradual turn toward the northwest and north forecast during the next few days, followed by a turn back westward by this weekend. The hurricane center said Melissa is expected to approach Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti later this week.

The hurricane center said in the advisory that some gradual strengthening is anticipated during the next few days, and "Melissa could become a hurricane by Friday."

Forecasters said Melissa is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain to the southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti, and eastern Jamaica through Saturday, Oct. 25, with locally higher amounts possible. The hurricane center said "significant flash flooding and landslides" are possible.

Across the northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti and western Jamaica, 2 to 4 inches of rain are expected through Saturday, Oct. 25, with flash and urban flooding also possible through Saturday.

Swells generated by the storm are expected to spread to Hispaniola, Jamaica and eastern Cuba during the next couple of days, forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Melissa path tracker

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Tropical Storm Melissa spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.

  • Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
  • Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
  • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance don’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
  • Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass. Seal outside wall openings.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Melissa could become a hurricane. See where it's headed.

Reporting by Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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