Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it churned northwest through the Caribbean Sea on Sunday.
According to the Miami based National Hurricane Centre, a hurricane warning is now in effect for Jamaica. This means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Melissa is moving toward the west near five miles per hour and a slow westward motion is expected on Sunday, followed by a turn to the north and northeast on Monday and Tuesday.
On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica through Tuesday and the across southeastern Cuba.
The storm is expected to move over the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.
The storms maximum sustained winds are near 140 miles per hour and further rapid intensification is expected through Sunday , followed by fluctuations in intensity. Melissa is expected to be a major hurricane when making landfall in Jamaica
Elsewhere in the region, a Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince.
Meanwhile, the government of Jamaica, has announced that Sangster International Airport will close at midday Sunday, as the country braces for Hurricane Melissa.
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz cautioned passengers to stay in close contact with their airlines, as flight times may be adjusted to accommodate the closure.
Travellers are urged to monitor official updates and make any necessary changes to travel plans.
The airport’s closure follows the announcement that the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston closed late Sunday.