Hurricane Melissa, the strongest tropical cyclone to hit Jamaica in decades, has gusts of up to 350 km/h and could track toward Europe after brushing Cuba and the Bahamas.
Hurricane Formation and Peak Strength
Hurricanes, known as tropical cyclones, develop primarily from June to November, peaking in September and October. Melissa formed in the Caribbean between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela and intensified to a Category 5 storm on the Saffir‑Simpson scale before striking Jamaica.
Wind Speeds and Damage Potential
Average sustained winds averaged 290‑300 km/h, with gusts exceeding 350 km/h—the highest recorded for Jamaica. The storm’s slow movement, about 4‑5 km/h, extends the duration of intense winds. Central pressure dropped below 900 hPa, measured at approximately 892 hPa by a NOAA aircraft.
Possible Track toward Europe
Melissa remains over Jamaica and is heading east toward Cuba, where it is expected to keep a Category 4 or 5 intensity. After Cuba it will cross the Bahamas, move to Bermuda, and then enter the open Atlantic as a tropical storm, potentially becoming an extratropical cyclone upon reaching Europe.
Rainfall, Storm Surge, and Human Impact
Precipitation from Melissa could reach 500‑700 mm, with local totals up to 1,000 mm. Storm surge may rise 2‑2.5 m, flooding low‑lying coastal areas. Casualty reports already cite several deaths, and property damage from wind, such as roof loss, has been documented.