Tropical Storm Melissa formed in the central Caribbean Sea this morning, prompting a Hurricane Watch for Haiti and a Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica.

Tropical Storm Melissa becomes the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. 

At last checked this morning, Melissa was located near latitude 14.3°N, longitude 71.7°W, about 300 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

• Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph
• Movement: West at 14 mph
• Minimum central pressure: 1003 mb
• Wind field: Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the centre

The storm is expected to slow down and gradually turn toward the northwest and north over the next few days. On this track, Melissa will approach southwestern Haiti and Jamaica later this week.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

• The southern peninsula of Haiti, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

• Jamaica

No alerts are currently in effect for the Dominican Republic or Cuba, but forecasters advise residents in those areas to monitor updates closely.

Forecast and outlook

Melissa is expected to gradually strengthen as it moves over warm Caribbean waters and could reach hurricane strength later this week.

The National Hurricane Centre says the storm’s forward speed will decrease as it begins to curve northward. On the current track, Melissa could bring heavy rain and strong winds to Haiti and Jamaica by Thursday and Friday.

Forecasters note that “uncertainty regarding the track and forward speed of Melissa reduces confidence in exact rainfall amounts,” but conditions favour further intensification through midweek.

Hazards and potential impacts

Wind: Hurricane-force winds are possible in parts of southern Haiti starting Thursday. Tropical-storm-force winds could reach Jamaica by Thursday night or Friday.

Rainfall:

• Haiti and the Dominican Republic: 5 to 10 inches of rain possible through Friday, with flash flooding and mudslides likely in mountainous areas.

• Aruba, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica: 1 to 3 inches expected, with isolated flash flooding possible.

Surf:

Swells generated by Melissa will spread to Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba over the next few days, creating hazardous surf and rip current conditions.