The HURRICANE WARNING in effect for Hurricane Melissa has been downgraded to a TROPICAL STORM WARNING as the Category 4 hurricane drifts away from Jamaica.

At 10:00 p.m., the centre of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 19.3 degrees North, longitude 76.6 degrees West. This is about 105 km (65 miles) north of the island.

Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the northeast near 15 km/h (9 mph). The core of Melissa is expected to move over eastern 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 215 km/h (130 mph) with higher gusts. Melissa is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful
hurricane when it moves across Cuba, the Bahamas, and near Bermuda.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 km (30 miles) from the centre 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 continue to spread 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.

Tropical Storm force wind conditions are over sections of northwestern and northcentral parishes, with strong gusty winds occasionally reaching Tropical Storm strength, likely as Melissa drifts to the north.

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 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.


Note:

TROPICAL STORM WARNING - A public release from the Meteorological Service indicating tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 63–118 km/h (39–73 m/h), are expected to affect Jamaica in 36 hours or less.


For recorded updates, please dial 116.

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