KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Tropical Storm Melissa remains nearly stationary to the southeast over the Caribbean Sea, the tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for Jamaica are set to continue.

According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), at 4:00 am, the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 16.0 degrees north, longitude 75.5 degrees west. This is about 445 kilometres southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti and about 224 kilometres (139 miles) south-southeast of Morant Point or 260 kilometres south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

A slow drift toward the northeast and north is expected later Friday. On the forecast track, the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to begin drifting westward on Saturday and continue through Monday, bringing it just south of Jamaica early next week.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 km/h (45 mph), with higher gusts, and gradual strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, followed by rapid intensification this weekend. Melissa is projected to become a hurricane by Saturday and a major hurricane (category three or higher) by Sunday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 220 kilometres (140 miles) to the east of the centre.

The MetService said Melissa is expected to be a major rainfall producer over Jamaica. Amounts reaching 200-350 millimetres (eight-14 inches) are forecast for eastern parishes through the weekend, causing widespread flooding and landslides. This would gradually spread westward across the country next week.

As the tropical storm moves closer to the island, Jamaicans are to expect strong, gusty winds reaching tropical storm force to initially affect eastern parishes later today and continuing into the weekend across the island. Hurricane force winds are also possible from as early as Saturday.

Marine areas will also see quick deterioration Friday, therefore, small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.