A HURRICANE WARNING remains in effect for Jamaica as catastrophic Category 4 Hurricane Melissa is slowly emerging from the northern coast of western Jamaica.

At 4:00 p.m., the center of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 18.5 degrees North, longitude 77.7 degrees West. This is just off Jamaica’s northwestern coast.

Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the north-northeast near 13 km/h (8 mph). A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later this evening, followed by a faster northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa
will move away from western Jamaica this evening. After that, the center is expected to move over southeastern Cuba later tonight and early Wednesday morning, move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday, and approach Bermuda Thursday and
Thursday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 230 km/h (145 mph) with higher gusts. Melissa is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Melissa is expected to reach southeastern
Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane, and it could still be a major hurricane when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas. NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft will be investigating Melissa this evening.

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

Doppler radar and satellite images show that bands of heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Melissa are spreading across Jamaica. Data obtained from the weather station network indicate amounts exceeding 250 mm (10 inches) in parts of southern parishes.

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 parishes, with higher amounts over hilly terrain. Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely.

Extremely dangerous hurricane-force wind conditions are spreading over northwestern and northcentral sections of Jamaica as the eyewall of Melissa moves across the coastline.

Large and destructive waves, are likely along the south coast of Jamaica, between St Elizabeth and St Catherine. Storm surge flooding on the southern coast of Jamaica should subside tonight. On the northwestern coast, there is also the possibility of 2–4 feet storm surge above ground level tonight.

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 11:00 p.m. today.

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.

END