Hurricane Melissa, which is heading towards Jamaica, is expected to be the most powerful hurricane to hit Jamaica.
The hurricane intensified on Monday to become a Category 5 storm, the most powerful on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with wind speeds of more than 252 km/h (157 mph). According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), it is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning. The agency said the storm was expected to produce “devastating winds” and “catastrophic flooding” and conditions were expected to worsen throughout the day and night.
The Jamaica Meteorological Service added: “Life-threatening storm surges with large and destructive waves are likely to occur along Jamaica’s southern coast late Monday into Tuesday morning.”
How did Hurricane Melissa form?
Melissa formed as a cluster of thunderstorms off the coast of West Africa. It moved westward and developed into a low pressure system. It reached tropical cyclone status on October 21st.
Over the weekend, Melissa moved west across the Caribbean Sea, becoming a Category 4 storm.
Melissa is the 13th hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. On average, the Atlantic Basin experiences about seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes each year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be stronger than usual, with between 13 and 18 named storms.
This is the third Category 5 hurricane of the season, following hurricanes Erin and Humberto.
Officials use the Saffir-Simpson hurricane anemometer to classify storms. This scale divides hurricanes into five categories based on sustained wind speeds.
The highest level is Category 5, meaning storms with sustained wind speeds of 252 km/h (157 mph) or higher. Category 5 storms typically cause “catastrophic damage,” according to the NHC.
How has Melissa progressed? When and where will it attack Jamaica?
Jamaican residents are being urged to protect their homes with sandbags and boards and stock up on essential supplies in preparation for a hurricane.
Hurricane-force winds are expected to extend up to 45 kilometers (30 miles) from Melissa’s center, and tropical storm-force winds are expected to extend up to 315 kilometers (195 miles), the NHC said.
Here’s how the storm has progressed so far:
Monday, 7 a.m. (12:00 GMT) in Jamaica.
On Monday morning, Melissa was upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane as it moved northwest across the Caribbean Sea.
Tuesday, 1am (06:00 GMT)
Melissa will probably land soon after this. NHC said the storm would cause more damage because it was moving slowly at 8km/h.
“The potential for this extreme rainfall in slow motion will cause a catastrophic event here in Jamaica,” said NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rome.
Melissa is expected to bring 381 mm to 762 mm (15 to 30 inches) of rainfall to parts of Jamaica by Wednesday, and an additional 203 to 406 mm (8 to 16 inches) to southern Hispaniola by Wednesday, with total rainfall potentially reaching 1,016 mm (40 inches). Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely.
Wednesday, 1pm (18:00 GMT)
Melissa is expected to pass over Cuba by Wednesday, then pass over the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
It is predicted to weaken to Category 3 by the time it reaches Cuba.
What is the latest information on the scene?
“I know that many Jamaicans are anxious and very concerned, and rightly so. They should be concerned,” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said.
“But the best way to deal with anxiety, tension, and concern is to be prepared.”
The Jamaica Meteorological Service advised small boat operators and fishermen in the coves and shores to remain in safe harbor until wind and sea conditions return to normal.
“Leaving the island before the hurricane arrives is not an option,” the ministry said. The main airports, Kingston Airport and Montego Bay Airport, are closed. Kingston Airport warns: “Passengers, please contact your airline to change your reservation. Do not go to the airport.”
Alerts have also been issued for parts of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where similar damage from Melissa is expected.
Jamaica hurricane history
According to the NHC, Jamaica has only experienced one Category 4 storm, Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. It was the most destructive storm in Jamaica’s history, killing at least 45 people.
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy was the first to make landfall on the island since Gilbert. We were hit by a Category 1 storm.
In 2024, Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, hit Jamaica’s south coast, bringing heavy winds and rain and damaging buildings. There were also four deaths.
