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A TROPICAL STORM WATCH is in effect for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa forms over the central Caribbean Sea. This means Tropical Storm conditions could pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 48 hours.
At 10:00 a.m. the centre of the newly formed Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 14.3 degrees North, longitude 71.7 degrees West. This is about 480 kilometres (300 miles) south of Port Au Prince Haiti or about 630 kilometres (390 miles) southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.
Tropical Storm Melissa is now moving toward the west near 22 km/h (14 mph). A decrease in forward speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and then north is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track,
Melissa is expected to approach the southwestern portion of Haiti, and southeastern Jamaica later this week.
Now that the area of Low Pressure has strengthen to a storm, the system has slowed significantly, and a further decrease in the forward speed is projected, hence the system is likely to linger in the Caribbean waters for the next few days.
When the system is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce locally heavy rainfall, strong gusty winds, possibly reaching Tropical Storm force, primarily over northeastern and southern parishes Thursday and Friday.
The rainfall could continue into the weekend.
For the marine areas, the forecast is for widespread showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, with strong
gusty winds, possibly reaching Tropical Storm force, to affect all marine zones late Wednesday and Thursday, especially
inshore and offshore the south coast. Fishers on the cays and banks are advised to evacuate immediately and start returning
to the mainland. Other small craft operators in our coastal waters are advised to return to port. Small craft operators who
are in port are advised not to venture out.
