Tropical Storm Melissa has shaped within the Caribbean, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Tuesday morning.
Melissa, the thirteenth named storm within the Atlantic this yr, shouldn’t be anticipated to have main impacts on the mainland United States, however there may be uncertainty on its path and depth, the hurricane middle mentioned.
This is what to find out about Tropical Storm Melissa.
NOAA/NESDIS/STAR
Tropical Storm Melissa forecast and path
As of Tuesday night, the storm was about 305 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and transferring west at about 15 mph, the hurricane middle mentioned. Most sustained winds are close to 50 mph, in keeping with the middle, with tropical storm pressure winds extending outwards as much as 140 miles from the middle of the storm.
Melissa was anticipated to deliver “heavy rains” to Haiti and the Dominican Republic by way of not less than Friday, the hurricane middle forecast, with rainfall totals of as much as 10 inches.
Aruba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica may see as much as 3 inches of rain by way of Friday, the hurricane middle mentioned.
CBS Information/Nikki Nolan 
A gradual flip to the north and northwest is anticipated within the coming days, the company mentioned. The storm is anticipated to lower in velocity and should linger over the Caribbean due to weakening steering currents.
A spaghetti mannequin reveals a number of choices for Melissa’s longer path. Many variations of the mannequin present the storm passing over Haiti, although it is also potential Melissa travels over Cuba or turns towards Central America.
Nikki Nolan for CBS Information 
The storm might stall close to Haiti and Jamaica as a Class 1 hurricane. A hurricane watch has been issued for the southern coast and Tiburon peninsula of Haiti, whereas a tropical storm watch has been issued for Jamaica, the hurricane middle mentioned.
Along with heavy rainfall, the storm is anticipated to deliver the chance of serious flash flooding to parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with the hazard of landslides, the hurricane middle reported.
Preparations to “shield life and property” needs to be full by Thursday, the company mentioned.
Nikki Nolan for CBS Information 
There’s nonetheless “vital uncertainty within the observe and depth forecast” of the storm, the hurricane middle mentioned. Greater than half of laptop fashions present the storm turning to the west, whereas many nonetheless present it heading north. If the storm turns west, it could affect the Gulf.
Hispaniola — which incorporates Haiti and the Dominican Republican — together with Cuba, ought to proceed to watch forecasts, the company mentioned.
Will Tropical Storm Melissa affect the U.S.?
Tropical Storm Melissa is at present unlikely to affect the mainland United States.
The spaghetti mannequin for the storm doesn’t present it approaching South Florida or the remainder of the U.S. mainland as of now. The storm additionally seems to be unlikely to strongly affect the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
