Hurricane Melissa weakens slightly after historic Category 5 landfall
Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica's first Category 5 landfall, is the strongest storm globally in 2025. After landfalling with maximum, sustained winds that approached 300 km/h, it has since weakened to a Category 4 hurricane
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Weather Highlights:
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds near 230 km/h, made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon and remains extremely dangerous as it tracks across the northern Caribbean
The storm is expected to move across southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night and early Wednesday, and reach the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday before approaching Bermuda on Thursday
Additional rainfall totals of 150 mm to 300 mm in Jamaica and isolated areas near 750 mm over mountainous terrain could trigger more catastrophic flash flooding and landslides
Eastern Cuba may see 250 mm to 500+ mm of rain, with local amounts up to 635 mm through Wednesday, resulting in flash flooding and landslides. The southeastern Bahamas are forecast to receive 125 mm to 250 mm of rain, causing flash flooding through Wednesday.
Heavy rain may begin to affect Bermuda Thursday night.
Hurricane Melissa, a once-Category 5 storm, made landfall over Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon. Melissa hit near New Hope with winds of 295 km/h, marking one of the strongest Atlantic Basin landfalls on record with a central pressure of 892 mb.
Officials with the World Meteorological Organization called it a "catastrophic situation," and the storm of the century for Jamaica, Reuters reported.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa's slow movement over the exceptionally warm Caribbean waters significantly intensified its size and strength. The storm has been bringing days of unprecedented destructive winds and heavy rainfall.
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The International Federation of the Red Cross estimates that up to 1.5 million people in Jamaica could be directly affected by the storm.
"This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," warned the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) at landfall. "Do not leave your shelter as the eye passes over, as winds will quickly, and rapidly increase on the other side of the eye. Residents should remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions."
The storm will remain extremely dangerous as it continues its path across the northern Caribbean. A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected this evening, followed by a faster northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday.
According to the latest forecast, Melissa’s core is expected to move across southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning before reaching the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday.
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Melissa is projected to hit southeastern Cuba as an extremely dangerous, major hurricane and it could maintain major strength as it tracks across the southeastern Bahamas. Residents in the impacted regions should stay prepared as life-threatening conditions persist.
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Melissa brings catastrophic, hurricane-force winds, up to 1,000 mm of rain
Melissa is anticipated to bring additional rainfall totals of 150 mm to 300 mm in Jamaica, with isolated areas near 750 mm over mountainous terrain, potentially triggering more catastrophic flash flooding and landslides
Eastern Cuba may see 250 mm to 500+ mm of rain, with local amounts up to 635 mm through Wednesday, resulting in flash flooding and landslides. The southeastern Bahamas are forecast to receive 125 mm to 250 mm of rain, causing flash flooding through Wednesday.
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For the Turks and Caicos, rainfall totals of 25 mm to 75 mm of rain are expected. Over southern Hispaniola, additional rainfall of 50 mm to 150 mm is expected through Wednesday, with storm totals possibly reaching more than 1,000 mm locally.
Heavy rain may begin to affect Bermuda Thursday night.
