According to the hurricane center, Melissa has a significant possibility of making landfall on Jamaica as a major hurricane and could maintain major hurricane strength when it reaches eastern Cuba. Forecasters say Melissa poses little to no risk for Florida and the U.S. at this time.

Melissa intensified Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane. It will continue to strengthen before making landfall as a Major Category 4 hurricane in Jamaica on Tuesday. The storm will drop two to three feet of rain on the island, creating catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.

The hot ocean temperatures and dry air are primed for a potentially explosive hurricane to erupt, with some severe weather impacts possible for Florida.

Should another weather system develop into a tropical storm, the system would be named Jerry. The USA TODAY Network in Florida provides daily tropics watch reports during hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30). Weather Watch from USA TODAY: Envía HOLA al (239 ...

With the 11 p.m. Thursday advisory, Melissa was about 150 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica and 270 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, creeping north at only 3 mph and packing maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 140 miles from the center, underscoring the storm's broad reach.

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The Florida Maritime Museum, documenting Florida’s the rich history of Florida’s fishing and maritime industry, is still reeling from the effects of last year’s hurricane, officials said Tuesday.

Should another weather system develop into a tropical storm, the system would be named Jerry. The USA TODAY Network in Florida provides daily tropics watch reports during hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30). Weather Watch from USA TODAY: Envía HOLA al (239 ...

Hurricane Melissa threatens to make a direct strike on Jamaica as the most powerful storm in its history. See how strong it will become and where it’s headed.