Melissa Strengthens into a Hurricane as It Lashes the Caribbean With Heavy Rain

The storm was forecast to dump up to 25 inches of rain over Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica as it continues to strengthen this weekend.

Hurricane Melissa forms, could soon explode into monstrous major hurricane

Melissa is the fifth hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, joining Erin, Gabrielle, Humberto and Imelda.

Strong onshore winds bringing rainy Saturday to South Florida as Hurricane Melissa strengthens in Caribbean

Melissa intensified Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane. It will continue to strengthen before making landfall as a Major Category 4 hurricane in Jamaica on Tuesday. The storm will drop two to three feet of rain on the island, creating catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.

Category 1 Hurricane Melissa: Saturday, Oct. 25 update from the NHC on latest developments

Article last updated: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, 8 p.m. ET

Forecast: Melissa grows to major hurricane by Sunday, Jamaica landfall possibly by Tuesday

Melissa is projected to approach Jamaica this weekend, make landfall by early next week, and be near or over eastern Cuba by the middle of next week.

These maps track Melissa, soon to become a major hurricane and possible late-season record-breaker

The hot ocean temperatures and dry air are primed for a potentially explosive hurricane to erupt, with some severe weather impacts possible for Florida.
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