Tropical Storm Melissa Public Advisory Number 8a

October 23, 2025
radmin

Issued at 800 AM EDT Thu Oct 23 2025

000
WTNT33 KNHC 231156
TCPAT3
 
BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Melissa Intermediate Advisory Number 8A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL132025
800 AM EDT Thu Oct 23 2025
 
...HURRICANE WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA...
...HEAVY RAINS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING EXPECTED FOR PORTIONS
OF HISPANIOLA AND JAMAICA THROUGH THE WEEKEND...
 
 
SUMMARY OF 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...15.5N 74.9W
ABOUT 215 MI...345 KM SE OF KINGSTON JAMAICA
ABOUT 275 MI...440 KM SW OF PORT AU PRINCE HAITI
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 310 DEGREES AT 5 MPH...7 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES
 
 
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
 
The government of Jamaica has issued a Hurricane Watch for the
island, and has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a warning.
 
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
 
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the
Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince
* Jamaica
 
A Tropical Storm Warning in effect for...
* Jamaica
 
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.  A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.
 
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
 
Interests elsewhere in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba
should monitor the progress of Melissa.
 
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
 
 
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was 
located by Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft near latitude 
15.5 North, longitude 74.9 West. Melissa is moving toward the 
northwest near 5 mph (7 km/h). A slow northwest or north motion is 
forecast during the next couple of days, followed by a westward turn 
over the weekend.  On the forecast track,  Melissa is expected to 
move closer to Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti during 
the next couple of days.
 
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. 
Little change in strength is expected during the next day or so, but 
significant strengthening is expected by late Friday and over the 
weekend.  Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane in a couple of 
days.
 
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
from the center.
 
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb (29.62 inches).
 
 
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Melissa can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT3 and WMO header WTNT43 KNHC.
 
WIND:  Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in 
Haiti and Jamaica beginning on Friday afternoon.  Tropical storm 
conditions are expected to begin in Jamaica earlier on Friday.
 
RAINFALL: Melissa is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain to the
southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti, and eastern Jamaica
through Sunday, with locally higher amounts possible. Additional
heavy rainfall is possible beyond Sunday; however, uncertainty in
Melissa’s track and forward speed reduces confidence in exact
totals. Significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous
landslides are possible.
 
Across Puerto Rico, northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and
western Jamaica, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected through Sunday.
Flash and urban flooding will be possible through at least Sunday.
 
For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with
Melissa, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total
Rainfall Graphic, available at
hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?rainqpf
 
SURF:  Swells generated by Melissa are expected to affect portions
of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba during the next several
days.  Please consult products from your local weather office.
 
A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found
at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?ripCurrents
 
 
NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next complete advisory at 1100 AM EDT.
 
$$
Forecaster Papin

NHC Atlantic

Virgin Islands News - News.VI

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Major Coastal Zone Management Permit No. CZML0007-23

PUBLIC NOTICE

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U.S. Virgin Islands Handcyclist Andrew Hairston Wins Detroit Marathon

The territory’s Andrew Hairston won the handcycling division of the Detroit Marathon on Sunday, finishing the course in 1 hour and 27 minutes. The 32-year-old athlete finished first out of 17 hand cyclists, claiming victory in what he describes as “arguably the best race for hand cyclists in the U.S.”

This was his fourth time racing in Detroit and his first victory after two previous third place finishes.

The race began in challenging conditions, with windy and rainy weather greeting the early-morning staters. Hairston’s strategy shifted early on when his friend and racing partner, Dustin, with whom he planned to share the workload, suffered a mechanical issue.

“The toughest part was the 20 miles by yourself, trying to stay motivated and keep the power up so you can keep the gap open,” said Hairston. He credited his team of bike guides for ensuring his safety on the wet, technical course that crosses into Canada and back.

Hairston trains 15-20 hours per week, mixing long rides with high-intensity intervals. “Cycling is all a game of power to weight. The stronger you are the lighter you are, the faster you’ll go,” he said.

He was introduced to hand cycling through the Achilles Freedom Team while recovering at Walter Reed from a life changing accident that left Hairston with a leg amputation. A free trip to New York, which he almost turned down, led to his first race which was a four mile race through Central Park that ended in Hairston taking third place.

Reflecting on the win, Hairston expressed gratitude for the support from the Virgin Islands community. “To have an entire community show love the way they do, makes all the hard work, tough days, and so much more, worth it,” says Hairston.

As a role model Hairston extends a simple message,”don’t give up, everybody is going through something. As long as you strive to do your best, you just can’t be upset with the outcome.”

True to that spirit, Hairston is already looking ahead. He will compete next in the Marine Corps Marathon before aiming for World Cup qualification in 2025, with a long term goal of earning a wild card spot for the LA 2028 Paralympics.

VI

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St. Croix, USVI