Update | TS Melissa prompts Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica

Jamaicans are being told to batten down and stay alert as a Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for the island.

The Meteorological Service made the announcement on Tuesday after Tropical Storm (TS) Melissa formed in the Caribbean Sea, bringing the threat of heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds later this week.

According to the US National Hurricane Center, Haiti is already under a hurricane watch, with the storm packing maximum sustained winds of 80 kilometres per hour and moving west at 23 kilometres per hour. On Tuesday morning, Melissa was located about 480 kilometres south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Forecasters say Haiti and the Dominican Republic could see up to 25 centimetres of rainfall by Friday, while Jamaica, Aruba, and Puerto Rico could get 2.5 to 8 centimetres.

The Met Service has warned fisherfolk on the cays and banks to evacuate immediately and return to the mainland, while small craft operators already at sea are being urged to head back to land. Those in port are advised not to venture out.

"When the system is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce locally heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, possibly reaching tropical storm force, primarily over northeastern and southern parishes late Wednesday and Thursday," the Met Service said.

Rainfall is expected to continue into the weekend, and the agency says it is closely monitoring the storm's progress.

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