Article first published: Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, 4 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, 4 p.m. ET

System type: Tropical storm

System name: Melissa

At 4 p.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center issued an advisory stating that Tropical Storm Melissa is in the Caribbean Sea, 215 miles southeast of Kingston Jamaica and 225 miles southwest of Port Au Prince Haiti. The system, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, is moving north at 2 mph.

Melissa is expected to strengthen into a hurricane.

Watches and warnings currently in effect

• Hurricane Watch for:

• Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince

• Jamaica

• Tropical Storm Warning in effect for for:

• Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince

• Jamaica

Meaning of the different watches and warnings

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

Anyone in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and eastern Cuba, and the Bahamas should monitor the progress of Melissa. A hurricane warning may be required for Jamaica later today.

Hazards affecting land

Wind. Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in Haiti later this weekend and Jamaica beginning late this weekend or early next week. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Haiti tonight or Saturday and in Jamaica late Saturday into Sunday.

Rainfall. Melissa is expected to bring total rainfall of 15 to 25 inches to portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through Tuesday, with local maxima of 35 inches across the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti. Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Tuesday. The uncertainty at that time range precludes exact storm totals. Potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are possible across portions of Jamaica and the southern Dominican Republic, while catastrophic flash flooding is anticipated in southern Haiti. For southeast Cuba, total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts to 12 inches, are possible into Tuesday. Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Tuesday. The uncertainty at that time range precludes exact storm totals.

For a complete forecast of rainfall associated with Melissa, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?rainqpf

Storm surge. Minor coastal flooding is likely along the coast of Jamaica by Saturday in areas of onshore winds as tropical storm conditions begin to reach the area.

However, there is a risk of a more life-threatening storm surge,

Especially along the south coast of Jamaica, early next week. Peak storm surge heights could reach 5 to 10 feet above ground level,

Near and to the east of where the center of Melissa makes landfall.

This storm surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Surf. Swells generated by Melissa are expected to affect portions of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba during the next several days.

Source: National Hurricane Center