Hurricane Melissa Tracker: Category 5 Storm Heads Toward Jamaica and Cuba

Hurricane Melissa has officially strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm, bringing catastrophic winds and heavy rainfall as it nears Jamaica. The National Hurricane Center confirmed on Monday morning that Melissa had sustained winds of 160 mph, making it the third Category 5 hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. A direct hit on Jamaica is expected Tuesday, followed by landfall in eastern Cuba and potential impacts in the Bahamas later this week.

Melissa’s intensification makes it one of the strongest hurricanes to threaten the Caribbean in recent decades. Officials have issued hurricane warnings for Jamaica and eastern Cuba, with hurricane watches in effect for several Bahamian islands. Evacuations and emergency preparations are underway as residents brace for devastating impacts.

Melissa’s Path and Forecast Details

As of early Monday, the center of Hurricane Melissa was located approximately 135 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, moving slowly west at about 3 mph. Meteorologists expect the storm to continue strengthening before making landfall on Jamaica’s southern coast Tuesday morning. Forecasters warn that the difference between a Category 4 and Category 5 landfall is negligible, as both can produce catastrophic damage.

Melissa is projected to maintain major hurricane strength as it moves across Jamaica and into eastern Cuba by Wednesday. The Bahamas are expected to begin feeling the effects of the storm midweek, with Bermuda potentially in its path by the end of the week.

The hurricane could bring rainfall totals of 15 to 30 inches across Jamaica, with isolated areas seeing up to 40 inches. Hispaniola — including Haiti and the Dominican Republic — could receive an additional 8 to 16 inches, raising concerns about landslides and flash floods. Storm surge levels in Jamaica could reach 9 to 13 feet along southern coastlines near the point of landfall, while eastern Cuba could see surges of 6 to 9 feet. Flood-prone areas are expected to experience widespread inundation.

Local authorities in Jamaica have opened shelters, suspended flights, and urged residents in coastal zones to evacuate. The government emphasized that the storm’s slow movement poses an increased threat of prolonged rainfall and destructive winds. Disaster relief agencies are on standby, and power outages are expected across large portions of the island.

Regional Impact and Ongoing Risks

Hurricane Melissa’s slow progress across the Caribbean is causing growing concern among meteorologists and emergency officials. Slow-moving hurricanes tend to unleash higher rainfall totals and intensify flooding risks. In addition to the winds and surge, the storm’s extended presence over warm Caribbean waters could help sustain its Category 5 strength longer than usual.

Experts warn that Melissa may be the most dangerous storm to strike Jamaica since Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. The combination of torrential rain, storm surge, and hurricane-force winds could devastate infrastructure, agriculture, and communication networks. In eastern Cuba, authorities are monitoring coastal towns closely as preparations for evacuation continue.

While Melissa’s core impacts remain concentrated in the Caribbean, forecasters note that the storm could influence weather patterns across the western Atlantic later this week. Bermuda is likely to experience rough surf, heavy rains, and possible tropical storm conditions depending on Melissa’s trajectory after crossing Cuba and the Bahamas.

As of now, Hurricane Melissa remains a life-threatening storm. Residents in Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Bahamas are urged to finalize preparations and follow official guidance as conditions deteriorate rapidly over the next 48 hours.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Where is Hurricane Melissa currently located?

Melissa’s center is about 135 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, moving west at around 3 mph. Landfall is expected on Jamaica’s southern coast on Tuesday.

Q2: How strong is Hurricane Melissa right now?

Hurricane Melissa has sustained winds of 160 mph, making it a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Q3: What areas are under hurricane warnings?

Jamaica and eastern Cuba are under hurricane warnings, while the Bahamas have issued hurricane watches as the storm approaches.

Q4: How much rain and storm surge is expected?

Jamaica could see 15 to 30 inches of rain and a storm surge of up to 13 feet. Eastern Cuba could face surges of 6 to 9 feet with widespread flooding expected.

Q5: Will Hurricane Melissa affect the United States?

The current forecast shows no direct U.S. landfall, but coastal areas could experience large waves and rip currents as the storm moves north later this week.