Cyclone Melissa reinforced right into a Classification 4 tornado as it spun northwest via the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, according to the most recent advisory from the National Cyclone Facility.
A Cyclone Caution– indicating that typhoon problems are anticipated– held for Jamaica since very early Sunday, the NHC claimed. A
Cyclone Watch– indicating that typhoon problems are feasible– held for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti and southeastern areas of Cuba.
” Satellite pictures suggest that optimal continual winds have actually quickly enhanced to near 140 miles per hour (220 kmph) with greater gusts,” the NHC publication reported on Sunday. “Proceeded fast augmentation is anticipated via tonight, adhered to by variations in strength.”
Waves damage on the coastline in advance of Cyclone Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica, on Oct. 25, 2025.
Gilbert Bellamy/Reuters
” Melissa is anticipated to be a significant typhoon when making landfall in Jamaica Monday evening or Tuesday early morning and southeastern Cuba late Tuesday,” the advisory claimed.
Melissa might advance to a Classification 5 tornado– with continual end up to 160 miles per hour– prior to it makes landfall. The typhoon might be the best to effect Jamaica in greater than 35 years, given that the Classification 4 Cyclone Gilbert struck the island in 1988.
The typhoon is anticipated to pass across southeastern Cuba on Tuesday evening and throughout the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday, the NHC claimed.
The tornado is anticipated to bring in between 15 and 30 inches of rainfall to components of southerly Hispaniola and Jamaica right into Wednesday. Approximately 40 inches might drop in some areas, the publication claimed. “Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are possible throughout sections of southerly Hispaniola and Jamaica,” it claimed.
Eastern Cuba is anticipated to see in between 6 and 18 inches of rains, likewise perhaps motivating harmful flash flooding and landslides.
Unsafe tornado rise, browse and split currents are likewise anticipated. The NHC cautioned that the southerly coastline of Jamaica would certainly see “dangerous tornado rise” from late Monday via to Tuesday early morning, coming to a head in between 9 and 13 feet over ground degree.
Hurricane Melissa is seen over the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 25, 2025.
NOAA
