Cat. 5: Melissa tied for 2025's strongest storm on Earth, Jamaica in direct path
Melissa is forecast to hit Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as a powerful major hurricane before maintaining hurricane strength over the southeastern Bahamas
Stay up-to-date with all hurricane developments on The Weather Network's tropical storm hub page.
Weather Highlights:
Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane on Monday morning
The system will continue to intensify, with fluctuations in intensity likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica early Tuesday
Life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding expected in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola
All attempts to secure life and property should be completed. Tourists in the region are urged to heed the advice of local officials
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa set for for dangerous Jamaica landfall Tuesday
As of Monday morning, Melissa intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, boasting maximum sustained winds of 270 km/h.
RELATED: Airports close as Jamaica braces for potentially catastrophic Hurricane Melissa
Melissa is tied as the strongest global storm of the year alongside devastating Super Typhoon Regasa -- a large, powerful and deadly tropical cyclone.
This also marks the third Category 5 storm of the season, a rare occurrence only exceeded by the 2005 season, which saw four similar systems.
All efforts to secure lives and property should be completed
Melissa is tracking extremely slowly at just 6 km/h, heading toward Jamaica, where landfall is expected Tuesday morning. The storm poses a severe threat, with hurricane-force winds over 260 km/h, storm surge, and days of torrential rainfall.
Rainfall amounts between 380 - 750+ mm are possible in parts of Jamaica, with an additional 200 to 400 mm expected in southern Hispaniola through Wednesday. Local storm totals could reach up to 1,000 mm.
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These conditions elevate risks of life-threatening flooding, coastal erosion, and landslides.
The storm’s forecast path will bring significant impacts to low-lying, densely populated areas along Jamaica's south coast, with storm surge and flooding presenting major hazards. Mountainous regions will also face elevated risks of landslides.
Melissa’s eyewall, carrying the most intense winds, is expected to pass directly over the island. Canadian authorities have issued travel advisories for the region.
Jamaica's strongest hurricane in 37 years
This will be Jamaica's strongest hurricane since Gilbert in 1988, which caused 49 fatalities and devastated the island with over 800 mm of rainfall, triggering landslides and widespread power outages. Gilbert made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane.
Landfall in southeastern Cuba is projected early Wednesday, and Melissa will likely still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas.
Eastern Cuba is expected to receive total rainfall of 250 to 380 mm, with localized amounts up to 500 mm through Wednesday. This could result in life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding, along with numerous landslides.
For the southeastern Bahamas, total rainfall of 100 to 200 mm is expected Tuesday into Wednesday, leading to the potential for flash flooding in some areas.
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Peak storm surge heights could reach 2.7 to 4 metres above ground level, particularly near and east of Melissa's landfall location. This surge will be accompanied by large, destructive waves.
Stay updated on alerts and evacuation orders, as the situation remains highly dangerous.
Canadian impacts? Stay alert
Melissa is forecast to move along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard through mid to late week before likely heading out to sea.
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There is potential for some of its moisture and energy to transfer to a developing East Coast low, which could result in heavy rainfall for parts of eastern Canada around Halloween.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest updates on the tropics.