A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica and several Cuban provinces, as Melissa, a Category 5 storm barrels towards these islands.
The core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica tonight and Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.
Maximum winds have increased to near 260 km/h) with higher gusts.
Some additional strengthening is forecast today, with fluctuations in intensity likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica early Tuesday.
Melissa is expected to bring rainfall of 15 to 30 inches to portions of Jamaica, while life-threatening storm surge is likely along the
south coast of Jamaica from tonight.
