Tropical Storm Melissa, which is churning in the Caribbean, may strengthen to a major hurricane by the time is lashes the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica this weekend. It appears Melissa will not pose a direct threat to the United States. Here's the latest forecast:

AccuWeather forecasters said it's possible the system could strengthen into a hurricane in the warm waters of the Caribbean.

The rains snarled traffic in the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, and at least one traffic light was downed as winds whipped around the city.