Related videos:
Tropical storm Melissa continues to strengthen over the western Caribbean and, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States, it could become a hurricane in the coming hours and reach the category of major hurricane by Sunday.
In its update at 8:00 p.m. EDT (Miami time), the NHC reported that Melissa is maintaining maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), with stronger gusts, and is continuing to move very slowly to the north at just 4 km/h. Its minimum central pressure is 993 millibars.
The center of the storm was located approximately 310 kilometers southeast of Kingston (Jamaica) and 360 kilometers southwest of Port-au-Prince (Haiti).
Possible impact as a hurricane
The NHC predicts that Melissa will rapidly strengthen and become a hurricane this Saturday, while it continues to move slowly westward. If its trajectory remains unchanged, the system could move over Jamaica early next week and approach the eastern part of Cuba between Tuesday and Wednesday.
A rapid intensification is expected in the coming days, stated the report. Melissa could become a hurricane tomorrow, Saturday, and a major hurricane on Sunday.
Catastrophic rains and floods
The NHC warned that the rains associated with Melissa are already causing flooding and landslides in areas of southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In the coming days, total rainfall of 15 to 25 inches (380 to 635 mm) is expected in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with maximum accumulations of up to 35 inches (890 mm) on the Tiburón Peninsula (Haiti).
In the southeast of Cuba, the NHC forecasts rainfall of between 4 and 8 inches (100 to 200 mm), with local maxima of up to 12 inches (300 mm), which could lead to flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Risk of storm surge
The report also warns of the danger of storm surge along the southern coast of Jamaica, with waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) above sea level and strong undertow starting Sunday.
The effects of Melissa are expected to last several days due to its extremely slow movement, emphasized the U.S. weather agency.
Active alerts
- Hurricane Alert: southwest of Haiti and Jamaica.
- Tropical storm warning: same areas.
The NHC warned that a hurricane warning for Jamaica could be issued in the coming hours and advised residents of eastern Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas to stay alert for upcoming official updates.
The slowness of the system and its potential interaction with the mountainous terrain of Jamaica and Haiti increase the risk that Melissa will cause prolonged and devastating impacts in the region.
Upcoming notices
The National Hurricane Center will release its next complete report at 11:00 p.m. EDT. CiberCuba will continue to update the developments regarding Melissa and its potential effects on Cuba and the Caribbean.
Source: National Hurricane Center (NHC)
Filed under: