▶ Watch Video: Tropical Storm Melissa intensifying as it approaches Jamaica

Melissa is expected to strengthen from a tropical storm into a major hurricane this weekend, and it could bring “life-threatening and catastrophic” flash flooding and landslides to Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic early next week, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center warns.

Melissa, the 13th named storm of the Atlantic season, isn’t expected to have major impacts on the mainland United States . It could be the strongest system this season.

Melissa’s forecast and path

On Saturday morning, Melissa’s core was about 160 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 235 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the hurricane center said . Maximum sustained winds were 70 mph, with tropical storm-f

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