Tropical Storm Melissa

Melissa continues to crawl through the central Caribbean this morning with 50 mph winds, drifting west-northwest at just 2 mph. The storm is located 305 mi SSW of Port-au-Prince (Haiti) and 335 mi SE of Kingston (Jamaica). Pressure is 1001 mb and dropping.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Southwestern Haiti and a Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica.

Main impacts include several inches of rain leading to flash flooding. Also heavy surf and swells expected.

Slow strengthening is expected, and Melissa could become a hurricane by Thursday as it gradually turns northwest toward Jamaica and Haiti.

The water temperatures are very warm which could allow Melissa to rapidly intensity into a major hurricane.

Right now, forecast models take it away from the United States.

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