By Todd Nelson, filling in for Douglas:
According to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, Melissa, located in the Caribbean, will continue to rapidly intensify during the day today just south of Jamaica. Indications are that this could be a high-end major Category 4 or low-end Category 5 storm prior to landfall near or west of Kingston, Jamaica, on Tuesday morning. Note that there have only been five Category 4 storms (or stronger) on record that have come within 50 miles of the island. Only one made landfall, Gilbert in 1988.
Melissa’s slow directional movement will prolong significant and life-threatening impacts through early next week for residents there. I fear that catastrophic flooding will occur with rainfall amounts approaching 20 to 30 inches on the east side of the island. I pray that I am wrong.
Closer to home, skies turn brighter Sunday in the wake of a clipper system that brought clouds and a few light showers to the region Saturday. Breezy south winds will help nudge temps into the low 60s once again. Next rain chance arrives Monday night and Tuesday.
