The only positive is that the core of the hurricane's strongest winds remains fairly small as of Monday. The latest data shows hurricane-force winds extending just 25 miles from the center. Unfortunately, Melissa will make a direct hit on Jamaica with the island's capital Kingston to the right of center where winds and surges will be strongest.
Outside of Jamaica, Melissa will likely be one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit Cuba. Melissa will hit the eastern half of the island Tuesday night, bringing triple the amount of heavy rain, damaging winds and storm surge. The storm also poses less of a threat to Hispaniola, the Bahamas and possibly Bermuda in the future. There will be no consequences in the United States.
Unexpectedly strong season
Most coastal U.S. residents will find this Atlantic season, which officially ends in just over a month, to be fairly quiet. There were relatively few direct impacts from these storms in the United States.
Erin, Humberto, and Melissa's signatures can be seen on this chart of accumulated cyclone energy for 2025.
Photo: CyclonicWx.com
But this season has been surprisingly strong. Melissa is just the 45th storm since 1851 to reach Category 5 status, which is defined as sustained winds of 157 mph or higher. Erin and Humberto reached Category 5 status already this year, and Melissa is now the third such hurricane. Fortunately, the first two storms posed minimal threat to land.
Before this year, only one season with three Category 5 hurricanes was recorded: 2005, when three storms that affected the U.S. Gulf states were noted and had their names removed: Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
