Melissa Intensifies as a Formidable Hurricane After Striking Jamaica

The fierce hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on Jamaica's southern coast this Tuesday afternoon, has significantly intensified. Its maximum sustained winds have surged to 185 mph, and its central pressure has dropped to 892 hPa, maintaining its status as a highly dangerous Category 5 hurricane, reported the Forecast Center of the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET).

Currently, Melissa's center is located at 18.0 degrees North latitude and 78.0 degrees West longitude, placing it approximately 31 miles south of Montego Bay, Jamaica; 127 miles south of Cabo Cruz in Granma; and 199 miles southwest of Santiago de Cuba, according to Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 19.

The INSMET predicts that over the next 24 hours, Melissa will veer more to the northeast and gradually increase its forward speed. By late afternoon and evening, it is expected to approach the southern coast of eastern Cuba.

Potential Impact on Cuba

Cuban meteorologists have warned that despite expected fluctuations in its intensity, Melissa will remain a formidable hurricane as it passes near Cuba.

The outer bands of this powerful hurricane are already affecting Cuba's eastern region, bringing showers and heavy rains expected to intensify from the province of Camagüey to Guantánamo. Significant rainfall is expected in some areas, particularly mountainous regions, with accumulations ranging from 8 to 18 inches over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, northeast to east winds will prevail across much of the country, reaching speeds of 22 to 31 mph in the eastern provinces during the afternoon, with stronger gusts that will escalate to tropical storm force by early evening.

Maritime Conditions and Warnings

The weather report highlighted ongoing heavy swells with waves between 8 to 13 feet in the seas south of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo in the afternoon. By nightfall, waves are expected to reach heights of 13 to 20 feet, causing moderate to severe flooding in low-lying coastal areas.

The INSMET's Forecast Center is closely monitoring Melissa's evolution and future path, with the next tropical cyclone advisory scheduled for 6 PM this Tuesday.

Melissa's Place in Hurricane History

As Melissa unleashes its full might on Jamaica's southern coast and approaches Cuba's eastern region, it has already etched its name among the most powerful hurricanes in Atlantic history.

With sustained winds of 185 mph and a minimum central pressure of 892 hPa, this cyclone joins the exclusive ranks of extreme Category 5 hurricanes, comparable only to historic giants like Wilma (2005), Dorian (2019), and the Labor Day hurricane (1935).

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) declared Melissa as one of the three most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record and potentially the strongest to directly impact Jamaica in nearly two centuries.

This devastating storm is causing "catastrophic winds, flash floods, and storm surges on the island," stated a midday NHC bulletin.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is regarded by experts as one of the most active in two decades, with 13 named storms, five hurricanes, and four major hurricanes to date. Melissa is the third Category 5 hurricane this year, a frequency not seen since 2005.

With its atmospheric pressure and maximum sustained winds, Melissa is making history as one of the most formidable hurricanes ever observed, and its passage through the Caribbean might leave an indelible mark akin to the unforgettable names of past storms.