Will Tropical Storm Melissa hit the US? Track uncertain but significant flash flooding likely - Check its path

Tropical Storm Melissa, which developed over the Caribbean on Tuesday, is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to parts of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Wednesday, as reported by CBS News. Melissa, which is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday morning, is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and while it may cause localized flooding and rough seas in the northern Caribbean, its future path remains uncertain, according to the Hurricane center.


For now, forecasters do not expect the storm to threaten the US mainland. According to CBS News, current spaghetti models show no indication of Melissa approaching South Florida or any other US coastal areas. The NEXT Weather team at CBS Miami reported that South Florida is not expected to face any direct impacts from the storm at this time. However, the team said it will continue to closely monitor the system and provide regular updates throughout the week.

WHERE IS TROPICAL STORM MELISSA?

According to CBS News, as of the 5:00 AM advisory on Wednesday, Tropical Storm Melissa had reformed to the northeast and was moving west-northwest at about 7 mph with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph, NHC reported. The storm is expected to slow its forward speed and gradually curve northwest and north-northwest over the next few days. Forecast models show Melissa approaching Jamaica and southwestern Haiti later this week.

The NHC noted that hurricane conditions are possible in parts of Haiti beginning late Thursday, while tropical storm conditions could reach Jamaica late Thursday or Friday.

TROPICAL STORM MELISSA - FORECAST AND PATH

As of Wednesday evening, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located about 330 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and roughly 300 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, CBS News reported quoting National Hurricane Center. The storm was moving slowly west at just 1 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph and tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 115 miles from its center.

Forecasters said Melissa is expected to move closer to Jamaica and southwestern Haiti later this week and could intensify into a hurricane by Friday as it continues to gradually strengthen.

FORECAST OF HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLASH FLOODING

NHC reported that Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to produce 5 to 10 inches of rainfall across southern Haiti, the southern Dominican Republic, and eastern Jamaica through Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

According to CBS News, forecasters cautioned that uncertainty in the storm’s track and speed makes it difficult to pinpoint exact rainfall amounts beyond that period. However, the heavy rain could lead to significant flash flooding and landslides in affected areas, the center warned.