Tracking intense Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa is an intense Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph, making it one of the most intense on record. Jamaica is bracing for torrential rain, hurricane-force winds, dangerous landslides and life-threatening storm surge.

Hurricane Melissa has continued to intensify overnight and this morning. NOAA's Hurricane Hunters have observed sustained winds of 185 mph and a central pressure of 892 mb, making Melissa the third strongest storm on record in the Atlantic Basin.

Hurricane Melissa, which has been slowly swirling south of Jamaica over warm Caribbean waters, is now being pulled north-northeast by an approaching cold front and is expected to make landfall on the island late Tuesday morning or early afternoon.

Inland flooding is a significant concern as up to 40 inches of rain could fall in southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through Wednesday. Storm surge of 9 to 13 feet is anticipated on Jamaica's southern coast, with 2 to 4 feet of surge expected on the northern end of the island near Montego Bay.

Melissa will push into eastern Cuba as still a major hurricane tonight or early Wednesday before quickly moving through the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos on Wednesday at hurricane strength.