The Meteorological Service maintained its tropical storm watch on Jamaica Tuesday night as Melissa continued its slow march over the Caribbean Sea south of Hispaniola.

“This means tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 48 hours,” the Met Service said in its 5:00 pm bulletin.

Earlier the Government said it had activated its emergency response mechanisms in preparation for a possible hit by the tropical storm which, the Met Service said, “is expected to bring locally moderate to heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, possibly reaching tropical storm strength, particularly across north-eastern and southern parishes on Thursday and Friday”.

Periods of rainfall could persist into the weekend, the weather experts said, adding that Tropical Storm Melissa is moving westward near 24 km/h (15 mph); however, a decrease in forward speed and a gradual turn to the north-west and then north is expected during the next few days.

More weather coverage on Pages 4&5.