TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)—The National Hurricane Center reports that Tropical Storm Melissa is currently lingering near Jamaica without significant movement.

The storm is positioned approximately 165 miles to the south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

The NHC indicates that while Melissa remains mostly stationary, it is anticipated to gradually start drifting northeast and north later today and into the night.

A shift in direction is forecasted for Saturday, with Melissa expected to drift westward through Monday.

Early next week, the storm is projected to pass close to or just south of Jamaica.

Life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are expected in parts of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through the weekend, the NHC said.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph.

Gradual strengthening is expected over the next few days, before rapid intensification this weekend.

Melissa is expected to become a hurricane by Saturday and a major hurricane by Sunday.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince and Jamaica.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince and Jamaica.