Jamaica is on high alert as Tropical Storm Melissa advances toward the island, prompting the issuance of a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica announced in its early Thursday bulletin that tropical storm conditions could impact the island within 36 hours, with hurricane conditions likely to follow within 48 hours. As of 4:00 am, the storm’s center was positioned approximately 353 kilometers south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica, and 390 kilometers south-southeast of Kingston. Melissa is currently moving westward at a sluggish pace of 6 km/h, with a projected shift toward the northwest or north-northwest in the coming days. Maximum sustained winds are near 85 km/h, with potential for intensification into a hurricane by late Friday or over the weekend. The storm is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall, strong gusty winds, and hazardous marine conditions, particularly affecting eastern and southern parishes initially. The Meteorological Service has urged small craft operators and fishers to seek shelter and complete safety preparations promptly. Authorities continue to monitor the storm closely, advising residents and stakeholders to stay updated on further developments.
#EyeOnMelissa: Jamaica now under tropical storm warning as Melissa crawls across Caribbean
