A HURRICANE WARNING remains in effect for Jamaica, as powerful Hurricane Melissa continues on a trajectory towards the island ahead of landfall.

At 10:00 p.m., the centre of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 16.6 degrees North, longitude 78.5 degrees West. This is 240 kilometres (150 miles) southwest of Kingston, or 190 kilometres (119 miles) south of Negril Point, Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa is moving slowly toward the north-northeast near 4 km/h (2 mph). A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected on Tuesday. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica on Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 280 km/h (175 mph), with higher gusts. Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica, as an extremely powerful major hurricane, on Tuesday morning.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 km (30 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward 315 km (195 miles).

Doppler radar and satellite images show that outer bands of Hurricane Melissa cover most of Jamaica, and have been producing moderate to heavy rainfall over the island. Data obtained from the weather station network indicate amounts exceeding 100 mm (4 inches) in parts of southern parishes today.

Hurricane Melissa is expected to produce rainfall amounts reaching 350-750 mm (15-30 inches) over parts of Jamaica in the next couple of days, especially over central and eastern parishes, with higher amounts over hilly terrain. Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely.

Tropical storm conditions are occurring over Jamaica, and catastrophic hurricane-force wind conditions are expected to begin early on Tuesday.

Life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large and destructive waves, is likely along the south coast of Jamaica ton Tuesday, peaking at 9 to 13 feet above ground level near and to the east of where the centre of Melissa makes landfall. On the northwestern coast, there is also the possibility of 1–3 foot storm surge above ground level.

Small craft operators, including fishers on the cays and banks, are reminded to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.

The Meteorological Service continues to closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Melissa, and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further releases.

The next Bulletin on this system will be issued at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Note:
HURRICANE WARNING means that the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected to affect Jamaica within 36 hours or less:
• Dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less than hurricane force;
• Average winds 119 km/h (74mph or 64 knots) or higher.

For recorded updates, please dial 116.

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