Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensifying in Caribbean, could become Category 5 storm

Previous coverage: Melissa expected to strengthen this weekend

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to become a hurricane shortly. FOX 13 Meteorologist Nash Rhodes has the latest on the storm.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hurricane Melissa continues to have our attention in the Caribbean as it's anticipated to undergo rapid intensification. The storm became a hurricane Saturday afternoon. 

What we know:

As of the 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the storm has sustained winds of 90 miles per hour and is moving west at three mile per hour. FOX 13 Meteorologist Nash Rhodes was anticipating the storm would become a hurricane, and does expect it to continue intensifying. 

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He said in the next 24 to 48 hours, it is expected to become a major hurricane – possibly reaching Category 5 strength. 

The storm has been moving erratically over the past few days, which is why forecast models have had such a difficult time tracking this storm. But, Rhodes said it's going to move generally to the north and west over the next few days as it approaches Jamaica. 

Dig deeper:

Jamaica remains in this storm's path with better agreement of this among weather models. It is under a hurricane warning, and tropical storm warnings are in effect for portions of Haiti. They also have a hurricane watch in place for the island. 

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The storm is expected to create a multi-day rain event that will begin Saturday evening in Jamaica, Rhodes said. Flash flooding and landslides will be the primary threat alongside life-threatening storm surge on the southern coast early next week. 

Southwestern Haiti will experience the same flash flooding and landslide concerns from this storm. 

The storm will eventually be steered away by an upper level trough that will take it away from the United States and well east of Florida. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands will be carefully monitoring the storm as well as Hispaniola, Cuba and Jamaica in the near future.