The Tribune

LARGE swells were affecting parts of the southeastern Bahamas yesterday after another storm formed in the central Atlantic.

Subtropical storm ‘Melissa’ formed yesterday morning with maximum sustained winds near 50mph yesterday and some strengthening forecast.

Melissa was centred about 695 miles east-southeast of Bermuda and was moving northwest near nine mph. It was expected to become a tropical storm today.

Brian Lada, meteorologist at AccuWeather, said: “The reason for the subtropical classification is the storm has both tropical and non-tropical characteristics.

“The system, located about halfway between Africa and the United States will slowly spin over the open waters of the Atlantic over the next several days.

“Melissa is located in an area of somewhat reduced disruptive winds, which will be favourable for additional strengthening in the short term.

“Melissa will not pose any threat to land in the western Atlantic as it drifts northward this week.”

Melissa was yesterday centred about 695 miles east-southeast of Bermuda and was moving northwest.

The US National Hurricane Center said large swells from the storm were yesterday affecting parts of the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the southeastern Bahamas.