The National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced the emergence of Tropical Storm Melissa in the Caribbean early Tuesday morning, issuing initial warnings and watches. A hurricane watch has been activated for parts of Haiti as the storm intensifies. Currently situated approximately 300 miles off Port-au-Prince, Melissa boasts sustained winds of 50 mph. Environmental conditions are increasingly favorable for its development as it moves slowly across the central Caribbean Sea. Strengthening low-level winds and atmospheric dynamics suggest the storm could gain strength within the next 24 hours. Melissa is projected to bring heavy rainfall, powerful gusts, and hazardous waves to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) in the coming days. Additionally, the storm’s instability and moisture may impact Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Cuba, heightening the risk of localized flooding and river swells by the week’s end. The Dominican Republic faces a significant threat of heavy rains and potential mudslides. While the storm’s precise trajectory remains uncertain, current forecasts do not indicate an immediate threat to South Florida. Authorities are urging residents across the Caribbean, particularly from the Dominican Republic to eastern Cuba, to remain vigilant and monitor updates closely.
Tropical Storm Melissa forms in the Caribbean, hurricane watch issued for Haiti
