Tropical Storm Melissa Forms in the Caribbean

Tropical Storm Melissa has formed over the central Caribbean Sea and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend with a high formation chance, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Satellite and radar data show that the system developed a well-defined centre while producing winds up to 50 mph. The NHC said Melissa was located about 300 miles south of Haiti as of late Tuesday morning.

“Significant flooding and dangerous mudslides are possible for parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti through the weekend,” the NHC reported.

Melissa is expected to strengthen steadily over the coming days due to the warm waters in the Caribbean, possibly reaching Category 1 hurricane strength by Saturday morning.

A hurricane watch is now in effect for parts of Haiti, while Jamaica is under a tropical storm watch. Puerto Rico is also expected to experience heavy rain as the system moves northward.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season and the first to form in the Caribbean Sea.