Tropical Storm Melissa Forecasted to Intensify into Major Hurricane

Tropical Storm Melissa, the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, has formed in the Caribbean and is projected to intensify into a major hurricane by late this weekend or early next week. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that Melissa is currently reorganizing and is expected to begin intensifying soon.

As of 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, Melissa was located approximately 220 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, moving north-northwest at 2 mph.

The NHC has issued a hurricane watch for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince, and for Jamaica. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Jamaica. The NHC advises that preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, as strong winds and flooding rains could begin in Jamaica by Friday or Saturday.

Melissa is expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, with forecasts indicating 6 to 12 inches of rain through the weekend. This increases the risk of significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides in these areas.

The NHC emphasizes that there is still uncertainty regarding Melissa's exact strength and path, including whether it will turn more toward Haiti, Cuba, or Jamaica. Residents in the affected regions are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the storm approaches.