Tropical Storm Melissa's speed has decreased dramatically, and that trend is forecast to continue. There is reasonably high consensus in the computer forecasts that the storm will creep generally north for the next few days. A weak dip in the jet stream over the Bahamas will try to scoop Melissa out of the Caribbean but will end up just tugging it north.   The storm will likely have to wait for another jet stream dip that reaches far enough south to get the job done. In the m

The tropical disturbance we've been tracking—officially Invest 98L—is on the cusp of becoming Tropical Storm Melissa. The system already has sufficient winds, about 45 mph, and it’s finally showing signs of a closed circulation.   Hostile upper-level winds are still pushing dry air into the system and tilting the vortex toward the east, but they have let up enough for the circulation to establish itself. The system has slowed its forward speed, which is also helping it stand