Tropical Storm Melissa forms as 13th Atlantic system, hurricane watch in effect

Tropical Storm Melissa forms in the Caribbean, and is forecast to become a hurricane by the weekend. Watches and warnings issued

Tropical Storm Melissa, the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, has developed over the central Caribbean Sea. The storm is forecast to approach southwestern Haiti and Jamaica later this week.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Haiti's southern peninsula from the Dominican Republic border to Port-au-Prince. Jamaica is under a Tropical Storm Watch. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipates Melissa to gradually strengthen over the coming days, with a slowdown in its forward speed and a gradual turn northwest and north.

Baron - Tropical Storm Melissa track - Oct21

Melissa is expected to bring between 125 to 250 mm of rain to Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Friday, with higher totals possible depending on the storm’s track and speed. The heavy rainfall raises the risk of flash flooding and mudslides in the region.

Meanwhile, Aruba, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica could see 25 to 75 mm of rain through Friday, with the potential for flash and urban flooding in Puerto Rico during this time.

Quiet hurricane season for the Caribbean so far, but Atlantic waters remain warm

Despite a near-average hurricane season so far, no storms have impacted the Caribbean Sea this year. A lack of tropical activity in the region has allowed sea surface temperatures to remain around 30°C or higher, conditions highly favourable for tropical development as the season progresses.

DON'T MISS: Hurricane forecasts are better today than ever before—here’s how

Melissa is expected to move at a slow pace over the next 4 to 5 days due to limited upper-level steering. As it tracks westward, it is anticipated to interact with the elevated terrain of Haiti and Cuba.

Content continues below

It’s too early to determine the storm's potential impact along the U.S. coast. However, Melissa has a higher chance of approaching the U.S. compared to storms that have stayed further out in the mid-Atlantic earlier this season.

RELATED: Autumn can still produce intense hurricanes across the Atlantic

So far, high-pressure systems over the Atlantic have consistently steered storms away from the Caribbean and the U.S. East Coast, directing them back out to sea. At times, well-timed high-pressure systems over the continent have added an extra barrier, protecting both Canada and the U.S. from significant impacts this season.

Although these weather patterns have reduced direct impacts on land, the Atlantic remains active. Monitoring potential tropical developments in the coming weeks is still essential, especially with sea surface temperatures supporting future storm growth.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs through November 30.

WATCH: The best time to prepare for a hurricane is when there isn't one, here's how