Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm south of Jamaica and is expected to turn towards the island on Monday.

That’s according to the latest bulletin by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, which stated that at 4:00 am, the centre of Hurricane Melissa was located 205 kilometres (130 miles) south-southwest of Kingston, or 167 kilometres (104 miles) south of Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth.

Melissa is moving toward the west near 6 km/h (3 mph). A slow turn toward the northwest and north is expected Monday, followed by a northeastward acceleration beginning on Tuesday. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica Monday night and Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 260 km/h (160 mph), with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast Monday, with some fluctuations in intensity likely before Melissa makes landfall on southwestern Jamaica as a powerful major hurricane early Tuesday.

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

Data from Jamaica’s Doppler radar show that outer bands of Hurricane Melissa have been moving over mainly southern and eastern sections of Jamaica since Sunday evening and producing periods of light to moderate rainfall, the met office said.

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 and eastern parishes, with higher amounts over hilly terrain. Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely, according to the weather experts.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread over Jamaica Monday, and hurricane conditions are expected to begin Monday night or early Tuesday.

Life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large and destructive waves, is likely along the south coast of Jamaica Monday night and on Tuesday, peaking at nine to 13 feet above ground level near and to the east of where the centre of Melissa makes landfall.

Small craft operators, including fishers on the cays and banks, are strongly advised 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.