Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a major Category 4 hurricane as it meanders throughout the Caribbean Sea, bringing heavy rains and potentially deadly flooding to some of the islands in that region.

Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday, Oct. 25, and a major hurricane by Sunday, Oct. 26, the Hurricane Center said. Current forecasts predict Melissa will be a Category 4 storm early next week. A major hurricane is one that is a Category 3 or higher, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

Tropical Storm Melissa dumped heavy rain on parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday as forecasters warned of a significant flood risk in parts of the northern Caribbean this week.

TRACKING THE TROPICS Tropical Storm Melissa formed on Tuesday in the Caribbean and is expected to become a hurricane by the weekend. Here's the latest track:

Hurricane Melissa is expected to continue strengthening and become a Category 5 hurricane, according to the NHC, Saturday, Oct. 25.

Tropical Storm Melissa continued Thursday its slow push north in the Caribbean, expected to grow into a major hurricane as it nears Jamaica, but its long-term path including what effects it might

TRACKING THE TROPICS  Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves closer to Jamaica and Hispaniola. See the latest track.

Forecasters say a different storm system may develop into a tropical storm in the next few days and could take aim at the southeastern U.S. coast.