Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to strengthen into a hurricane this weekend and bring life-threatening impacts to millions.

The hot ocean temperatures and dry air are primed for a potentially explosive hurricane to erupt, with some severe weather impacts possible for Florida.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify over the weekend into a Category 4 hurricane, and could get even stronger. Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify over the weekend into a Category 4 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Melissa is trekking north-northwest across the Caribbean. NHC has issued a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for the southern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince, and Jamaica.

Why meteorologists are so concerned about Tropical Storm Melissa when it becomes a hurricane near Jamaica, Haiti, the Cayman Islands, and Cuba.

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a major hurricane within days. Although the exact track is uncertain, some models bring it close to Florida’s east coast.

Storm is forecast to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane and bring life-threatening rainfall, landslides and storm surge to Jamaica, Haiti and elsewhere. The risk to Florida remains.