Forecasters warned it could strengthen and swipe Jamaica as a powerful hurricane and dump a staggering amount of rain.

TRACKING THE TROPICS  Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves closer to Jamaica and Hispaniola. See the latest track.

Tropical Storm Melissa remains nearly stationary over the north-central Caribbean Sea, but signs point to strengthening in the coming days. While the storm is s

Melissa had 65 mph winds early Friday. It could strengthen into a hurricane Saturday and a major hurricane later in the weekend.

Tropical Storm Melissa was nearly stationary in the central Caribbean on Friday, with forecasters warning that it could strengthen and swipe Jamaica as a powerful hurricane and dump a staggering amount of rain -- up to 35 inches -- on southwest Haiti,

Melissa is forecast to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane and bring life-threatening rainfall, landslides and storm surge to Jamaica, Haiti and elsewhere.

AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva was live on the AccuWeather Network on Oct. 23 to discuss the latest on Melissa.

Jamaica is staring down what could become a catastrophic, days-long assault of hurricane conditions as Melissa strengthens over some of the hottest ocean water on the planet. The storm’s outer bands are already brushing Jamaica and western Haiti,