Tropical Storm Melissa Update: Long Duration Impacts Expected for Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica

Tropical Storm Melissa Overview

• 🎯 Tropical Storm Melissa is currently located 45 miles offshore with winds of 45 mph and a pressure of 1011 millibars.
• 🐢 The storm is moving very slowly and erratically, leading to prolonged hazard impacts.

Extended Hazard Impacts

• 🌧️ Heavy rain and thunderstorms extend far east of the center, significantly impacting the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, with some areas already receiving up to 15 inches of rain.
• ⏳ The primary concern is long duration impacts over Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, meaning heavy rains and tropical storm to hurricane-force winds could persist for several days.
• ⚠️ This prolonged exposure to wind and rain, even if not at peak hurricane strength, can have devastating consequences.

Forecast Track and Potential Landfall

• 🗺️ The forecast cone is unusual due to the storm's slow motion, with minimal expected movement north for the next day, followed by a slow westward drift on Saturday.
• ⏳ Jamaica is expected to experience tropical storm or potentially hurricane-force winds for three to four days, possibly being upgraded to a hurricane warning over the weekend.
• ➡️ By Tuesday, the storm is forecast to make a northeast turn, potentially impacting eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.

Rainfall and Flooding Potential

• 📈 The three-day rainfall forecast shows a significant potential for heavy rains over the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with projections of up to 20 inches in western Haiti and over Jamaica.
• 🌊 These extreme rainfall totals, especially when combined with prolonged wind events, create a catastrophic flooding potential.
• 🚨 Residents in affected areas are urged to stay updated on the latest information and advisories.