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Tropical Storm Melissa continues to pose a threat to Jamaica as both a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch remain in effect, even as the system drifts east-southeast over the Caribbean Sea.

According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, at 7 a.m. today, the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 15.9 degrees North, longitude 75 degrees West, about 256 kilometres south-southeast of Morant Point or 300 kilometres southeast of Kingston.

Melissa is expected to drift toward the northeast and north later today before turning westward on Saturday and continuing through Monday. This could bring the system just south of Jamaica early next week.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 75 kilometres per hour with higher gusts, and gradual strengthening is forecast over the next day, with Melissa projected to become a hurricane by Saturday and possibly a major hurricane by Sunday.

Forecasters warn that Melissa could dump 200 to 350 millimetres of rain across the island, especially in eastern parishes, leading to flooding and landslides. The rain is expected to spread across the island through the weekend.

Strong, gusty winds reaching tropical storm strength are expected to affect eastern parishes later today, while hurricane-force winds are possible as early as Saturday.

Marine operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are being urged to remain in safe harbour until the all-clear is given, as sea conditions are expected to worsen through the weekend.

The Met Service says it continues to closely monitor the system and is urging Jamaicans to stay alert for further updates. The next bulletin is expected at 11 a.m. today.

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