Tropical Storm Melissa Forms in the Caribbean — Haiti Under Hurricane Watch, Jamaica on Alert

The thirteenth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has officially formed. Tropical Storm Melissa developed over the central Caribbean Sea on Tuesday morning, prompting the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue a Hurricane Watch for parts of southern Haiti and a Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica.

At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Melissa was located near latitude 14.3°N and longitude 71.7°W, or about 300 miles (480 km) south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The system is moving west at 14 mph (22 km/h) with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph (85 km/h). Forecasters expect gradual strengthening over the next few days as the storm turns toward the northwest and north.

According to the NHC, Melissa could approach southwestern Haiti and Jamaica later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and life-threatening flash floods. The storm’s minimum central pressure is currently 1003 millibars (29.62 inches).

Watches and Warnings
Hurricane Watch: Southern Haiti, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince.
Tropical Storm Watch: Entire island of Jamaica.

A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours, while a Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the same period.

Expected Impacts
Winds: Hurricane conditions could affect southern Haiti by Thursday, with tropical storm conditions reaching Jamaica by Thursday night or Friday.

Rainfall:
Haiti and the Dominican Republic: 5 to 10 inches of rain through Friday, posing a high risk of flash flooding and mudslides.
Jamaica, Aruba, and Puerto Rico: 1 to 3 inches of rain possible through Friday, with localized flooding expected.
Surf: Dangerous swells generated by Melissa are forecast to reach Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba over the next couple of days, creating hazardous coastal conditions and an increased risk of rip currents.
The National Hurricane Center advises residents and authorities across Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba to closely monitor the storm’s progress and prepare for possible worsening conditions by late week.
Further updates will be issued at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. EDT as forecasters track Melissa’s strengthening and path.