With peak sustained winds of 175 mph and gusts exceeding 210 mph, Hurricane Melissa is forecast to be the strongest storm ever to strike Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa is expected to continue strengthening and become a Category 5 hurricane, according to the NHC, Saturday, Oct. 25.

A series of weather systems have contributed to heavy rain and dangerous surf across parts of the Southeast, especially in Florida, but the well-timed systems also are part of a weather pattern that's forecast to help spare the mainland U.S. from any direct impacts from powerful Hurricane Melissa.

Forecasting models on Thursday continued to promise Florida had a low risk of getting walloped by Tropical Storm Melissa, with Tampa Bay largely in the clear even if the southern part of the state feels some of the storm’s eventual fury.

Tropical Storm Melissa could reach Category 5 as it rapidly intensifies, with forecasters warning of a potential 'humanitarian disaster' while impacts will be felt as far as Florida next week