A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the Northern Abaco Cays along with their adjacent waters.

A severe weather watch is in effect for Bimini and its adjacent waters.

At 5:12 am lightning detection, observation, radar, and satellite imagery continued to depict a line of moderate to heavy showers and embedded thunderstorms across the warning areas. These showers and thunderstorms are associated withan approaching cold front near the Northern Bahamas. 

Some of these showers will be locally heavy and thunderstorms will be strong and severe at times causing strong gusty winds, dangerous lightning, heavy downpours, possible hail and or waterspout or tornadic activity. Localized flooding is also possible during these storms.

Boaters in the watch and warning areas should seek safe harbor and residents in the warning areas should stay indoors and away from windows when conditions worsen. Residents should not seek shelter under trees or in water as these can become lightning conductors.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the Northern Abaco Cays  along with their adjacent waters. A severe weather watch is in effect for Bimini and its adjacent waters. At 5:12 am lightning detection, observation, radar, and satellite imagery continued  to depict a line of moderate to heavy showers and embedded thunderstorms  across the warning areas. These showers and thunderstorms are associated with an approaching cold front near the Northern Bahamas.  Some of these showers will be locally heavy and thunderstorms will be strong and  severe at times causing strong gusty winds, dangerous lightning, heavy downpours,  possible hail and or waterspout or tornadic activity. Localized flooding is also  possible during these storms. Boaters in the watch and warning areas should seek safe harbor and residents in  the warning areas should stay indoors and away from windows when conditions  worsen. Residents should not seek shelter under trees or in water as these can  become lightning conductors.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas. This includes Exuma and its Cays, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Cat Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Inagua.
 
A Hurricane Warning means that Hurricane conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours. 
 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
 
A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.
 
At 2 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near Latitude 22.1 degrees North and Longitude 75.3 degrees West, or about 25 miles East-Southeast of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, 60 miles South-Southwest of South Long Island, 65 miles West-Southwest of Salina Point, Acklins, 130  miles Northwest of Matthew Town, Inagua, 190 miles Northwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 150 miles West-Southwest of Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, and 235 miles Southeast of New Providence.
 
Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the northeast near 15 miles per hour. An accelerating northeastward motion is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move across the Southeast or Central Bahamas this afternoon and evening.   
 
Maximum sustained winds are now near 100 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane Melissa is a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some slight strengthening is possible today into tomorrow with little change in strength thereafter. 

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. 

Tropical Storm and hurricane conditions continue to spread into the Central and Southeast Bahamas, while tropical storm conditions spread into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Residents are now experiencing sustained winds or gusts up to tropical storm/hurricane strength, heavy rainfall, and severe thunderstorms. These conditions will continue throughout this afternoon and into tonight. Tornadic activity is highly probable in these areas.
 
Hurricane Melissa, should it remain on the forecast track, its core is expected to pass near or over the Crooked Island Passage this afternoon and evening. As a result, Ragged Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, South Long Island, Rum Cay, Samana Cay, and San Salvador are expected to experience hurricane-force winds. All other islands within the warning area are expected to experience tropical-storm force winds with gusts up to hurricane force.
 
Residents should remain indoors until the tropical storm and hurricane-force winds subside tonight and tomorrow morning.
 
Potential Impacts:
 
Hurricane Melissa will bring extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions, to the islands in the Central and Southeast Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, this afternoon and tonight. The islands expected to experience the strongest impact are Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Samana Cay, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. However, the extent of the impact depends on Melissa's strength as it moves through the Central and Southeast Bahamas.
 
Rainfall Amount:
 
A total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected over the Southeast Bahamas today, resulting in severe flooding in the islands. Expected rainfall totals for the Turks and Caicos Islands are approximately 1 to 3 inches.
 
Storm Surge:
 
A storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Southeast Bahamas, and minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands today.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas. This includes Exuma and its Cays, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Cat Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Inagua.   A Hurricane Warning means that Hurricane conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.    A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.   A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.   At 2 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near Latitude 22.1 degrees North and Longitude 75.3 degrees West, or about 25 miles East-Southeast of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, 60 miles South-Southwest of South Long Island, 65 miles West-Southwest of Salina Point, Acklins, 130  miles Northwest of Matthew Town, Inagua, 190 miles Northwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 150 miles West-Southwest of Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, and 235 miles Southeast of New Providence.   Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the northeast near 15 miles per hour. An accelerating northeastward motion is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move across the Southeast or Central Bahamas this afternoon and evening.      Maximum sustained winds are now near 100 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane Melissa is a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some slight strengthening is possible today into tomorrow with little change in strength thereafter.   Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.   Tropical Storm and hurricane conditions continue to spread into the Central and Southeast Bahamas, while tropical storm conditions spread into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Residents are now experiencing sustained winds or gusts up to tropical storm/hurricane strength, heavy rainfall, and severe thunderstorms. These conditions will continue throughout this afternoon and into tonight. Tornadic activity is highly probable in these areas.   Hurricane Melissa, should it remain on the forecast track, its core is expected to pass near or over the Crooked Island Passage this afternoon and evening. As a result, Ragged Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, South Long Island, Rum Cay, Samana Cay, and San Salvador are expected to experience hurricane-force winds. All other islands within the warning area are expected to experience tropical-storm force winds with gusts up to hurricane force.   Residents should remain indoors until the tropical storm and hurricane-force winds subside tonight and tomorrow morning.   Potential Impacts:   Hurricane Melissa will bring extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions, to the islands in the Central and Southeast Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, this afternoon and tonight. The islands expected to experience the strongest impact are Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Samana Cay, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. However, the extent of the impact depends on Melissa's strength as it moves through the Central and Southeast Bahamas.   Rainfall Amount:   A total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected over the Southeast Bahamas today, resulting in severe flooding in the islands. Expected rainfall totals for the Turks and Caicos Islands are approximately 1 to 3 inches.   Storm Surge:   A storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Southeast Bahamas, and minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands today.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas. This includes Exuma and its Cays, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Cat Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Inagua.  
 
A Hurricane Warning means that Hurricane conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours. 
 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands
 
A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours
 
At 5 AM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 20.3 degrees north and longitude 76.1 degrees west, or about 60 miles West of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 130 miles South-Southwest of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, 185 miles Southwest of Salina Point, Acklins, 165 miles West-Southwest of Matthew Town, Inagua, 265 miles West-Southwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 245 miles Southwest of Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, and 340 miles South of New Providence.
 
Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the Northeast near 12 miles per hour.  A faster northeastward motion is expected during the next few days.  On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move over Eastern Cuba this morning, move across the Southeast or Central Bahamas later today and away from The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by Thursday morning. 
 
Maximum sustained winds are now near 115 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane Melissa is a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across The Bahamas later today. 

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. 

Residents in the Central and Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are now experiencing heavy rainfall with thunderstorms associated with Melissa.  These conditions will continue throughout today and into tonight.  There is also the possibility that isolated tornadic activity will also occur. 
 
Residents in the Ragged Island, Inagua and Acklins are now beginning to experience Tropical Storm force winds.  These conditions will spread into Crooked Island, Long Cay, Long Island and Rum Cay during this morning, and into San Salvador, Southern Exuma, South Cat Island and the Turks and Caicos Islands during this afternoon.  Hurricane force winds could be experienced in Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador this afternoon.  Residents should remain indoors until the Tropical Storm and Hurricane force winds subside tonight and tomorrow morning.
 
Potential Impacts:
 
Hurricane Melissa, will bring extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions to the islands in the Central and Southeast Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands today and tonight. The islands expected to experience the strongest impact are Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Samana Cay, Rum Cay and San Salvador. However, the extent of the impact depends on Melissa's strength as it moves through the Central and Southeast Bahamas.
 
Rainfall Amount:
 
A total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected over the Southeast Bahamas through Wednesday, resulting in severe flooding in the islands. Expected rainfall totals for the Turks and Caicos Islands are approximately 1 to 3 inches
 
Storm Surge:
 
A storm surge of 5 to 8 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Southeast Bahamas, and 2 to 4 feet in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas. This includes Exuma and its Cays, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Cat Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Inagua.     A Hurricane Warning means that Hurricane conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.    A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands   A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours   At 5 AM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 20.3 degrees north and longitude 76.1 degrees west, or about 60 miles West of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 130 miles South-Southwest of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, 185 miles Southwest of Salina Point, Acklins, 165 miles West-Southwest of Matthew Town, Inagua, 265 miles West-Southwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 245 miles Southwest of Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, and 340 miles South of New Providence.   Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the Northeast near 12 miles per hour.  A faster northeastward motion is expected during the next few days.  On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move over Eastern Cuba this morning, move across the Southeast or Central Bahamas later today and away from The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by Thursday morning.    Maximum sustained winds are now near 115 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane Melissa is a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across The Bahamas later today.   Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.   Residents in the Central and Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are now experiencing heavy rainfall with thunderstorms associated with Melissa.  These conditions will continue throughout today and into tonight.  There is also the possibility that isolated tornadic activity will also occur.    Residents in the Ragged Island, Inagua and Acklins are now beginning to experience Tropical Storm force winds.  These conditions will spread into Crooked Island, Long Cay, Long Island and Rum Cay during this morning, and into San Salvador, Southern Exuma, South Cat Island and the Turks and Caicos Islands during this afternoon.  Hurricane force winds could be experienced in Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador this afternoon.  Residents should remain indoors until the Tropical Storm and Hurricane force winds subside tonight and tomorrow morning.   Potential Impacts:   Hurricane Melissa, will bring extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions to the islands in the Central and Southeast Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands today and tonight. The islands expected to experience the strongest impact are Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Samana Cay, Rum Cay and San Salvador. However, the extent of the impact depends on Melissa's strength as it moves through the Central and Southeast Bahamas.   Rainfall Amount:   A total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected over the Southeast Bahamas through Wednesday, resulting in severe flooding in the islands. Expected rainfall totals for the Turks and Caicos Islands are approximately 1 to 3 inches   Storm Surge:   A storm surge of 5 to 8 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Southeast Bahamas, and 2 to 4 feet in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR GRANDBAHAMA AND NORTH ABACO ALONG WITH THEIR ADJACENT WATERS ANDCAYS.

AT 12:20 AM LIGHTNING DETECTION, OBSERVATION, RADAR, AND SATELLITEIMAGERY CONTINUES TO DEPICT A LINE OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SHOWERSAND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS MOVING SOUTHEAST AND EASTTOWARD AND ACROSS THE WARNING AREAS. THESE SHOWERS ANDTHUNDERSTORMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A FRONTAL BOUNDARY NEAR THENORTHERN BAHAMAS.

SOME OF THESE SHOWERS WILL BE LOCALLY HEAVY AND THUNDERSTORMSWILL BE STRONG AND SEVERE AT TIMES CAUSING STRONG GUSTY WINDS,DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, HEAVY DOWNPOURS, POSSIBLE HAIL AND ORWATERSPOUT OR TORNADIC ACTIVITY. LOCALIZED FLOODING IS ALSOPOSSIBLE DURING THESE STORMS.

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOR ANDRESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD STAY INDOORS AND AWAYFROM WINDOWS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOTSEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES OR IN WATER AS THESE CAN BECOMELIGHTNING CONDUCTORS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR GRAND BAHAMA AND NORTH ABACO ALONG WITH THEIR ADJACENT WATERS AND CAYS. AT 12:20 AM LIGHTNING DETECTION, OBSERVATION, RADAR, AND SATELLITE IMAGERY CONTINUES TO DEPICT A LINE OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS MOVING SOUTHEAST AND EAST TOWARD AND ACROSS THE WARNING AREAS. THESE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A FRONTAL BOUNDARY NEAR THE NORTHERN BAHAMAS. SOME OF THESE SHOWERS WILL BE LOCALLY HEAVY AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE STRONG AND SEVERE AT TIMES CAUSING STRONG GUSTY WINDS, DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, HEAVY DOWNPOURS, POSSIBLE HAIL AND OR WATERSPOUT OR TORNADIC ACTIVITY. LOCALIZED FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE DURING THESE STORMS. BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOR AND RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES OR IN WATER AS THESE CAN BECOME LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS.