CATASTROPHIC IMPACTS EXPECTED
Life-threatening conditions imminent
Expected Hazards
Storm Surge
9-13 feet above ground level in Jamaica, 7-11 feet in Cuba
Rainfall
15-30 inches in Jamaica, up to 40 inches possible in isolated areas
Flooding
Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides expected
Wind Damage
Extensive infrastructure damage, long-duration power outages
Pre-Event Casualties
At least 7 deaths reported - 3 in Jamaica (preparation activities), 3 in Haiti (landslide), 1 in Dominican Republic. Over 1,000 people evacuated.
NOAA GOES Satellite - Hurricane Melissa
� NOAA GOES-16 Satellite Information
Hurricane Melissa Timeline & Updates
Real-time storm development and advisory updates
Melissa continues weakening as it moves rapidly northeast past Bermuda. Hurricane-force wind gusts reported on Bermuda. Storm expected to become post-tropical tonight.
Melissa maintains minimal Category 2 strength while rapidly moving northeast at 38 mph. Tropical storm conditions now occurring on Bermuda as storm makes closest approach.
Melissa weakens to Category 2 hurricane as it encounters increasing shear and cooler waters. Storm accelerating northward toward Bermuda.
Melissa emerges from Jamaica as a major Category 3 hurricane, having caused catastrophic damage across the island. Storm begins northward turn toward Bahamas.
Hurricane Melissa makes devastating landfall on Jamaica's south coast near Spanish Town as a high-end Category 5 hurricane with 165 mph winds, causing catastrophic damage.
Melissa maintains Category 5 intensity with 175 mph winds and 901 mb pressure. Storm expected to make landfall on Jamaica within hours with catastrophic impacts.
Air Force Hurricane Hunters measure central pressure of 903 mb with flight-level winds of 161 kt. Well-defined 10 nautical mile eye with cloud tops near -90°C.
Maximum sustained winds reach 175 mph. Melissa becomes the strongest Atlantic storm of 2025. Hurricane warnings issued for Bahamas and Turks & Caicos.
Melissa's winds vault from 70 mph to 140 mph in just 18 hours, marking one of the most rapid intensifications on record in the Atlantic Basin.
Melissa strengthens to tropical storm with 70 mph winds over the central Caribbean. Hurricane watch issued for Jamaica.
Tropical Storm Melissa forms in the central Caribbean, becoming the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
📈 Development Statistics
🌡️ Climate Context
Record-Breaking Aspects
- • Strongest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica on record
- • Strongest Atlantic storm of 2025 season
- • One of the most rapid intensifications in Atlantic history (70 to 140 mph in 18 hours)
- • Central pressure rivals Hurricane Katrina (902 mb)
- • 4 out of 5 hurricanes this season reached Cat 4 or 5 - highest percentage ever recorded
Climate Change Attribution
Climate Central analysis suggests climate change increased Melissa's wind speeds by 10 mph. Sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean are 0.5-0.9°F warmer than normal, with human-caused climate change making current warmth 500-800 times more likely to occur.