Jamaicans urged to be vigilant as TS Melissa sees increase in forward speed

With Jamaica now under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch, Manager of Meteorological Services Rohan Brown is urging Jamaicans to be vigilant and carefully monitor updates on Melissa which has seen a slight increase in forward speed.

Tropical storm conditions now pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 36 hours and hurricane conditions are likely to pose a threat within 48 hours.

At 10 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 15.4 degrees North, longitude 74.9 degrees West. This is about 310 kilometres (193 miles) south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or about 355 kilometres (220 miles) southeast of the capital Kingston.

The weather system is moving very slowly toward the north-northwest near 4 km/h (2 mph). A slow forward speed and northward motion is forecast during the next couple of days, followed by a westward turn over the weekend.

At a Jamaica House press briefing earlier today, Brown said Melissa could become a major hurricane south of Jamaica at the weekend.

He warned that significant rainfall is expected that could cause flooding and landslides. At the same time, he said the island would be impacted by strong gusty winds starting tomorrow.

“We pray and hope for the best, but plan for the worst,” Brown said.

- Edmond Campbell

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