Melissa May Be Worst Storm Ever In Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa is moving extremely slowly as it makes its closes in on Jamaica as a dangerous Category 5 storm. It is expected to have catastrophic impacts on Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba in the coming days, then impact the Bahamas by mid-week.
You can track it all with the maps below, including forecasts from the National Hurricane Center. And if you’re seeking a more in-depth look at Melissa, click here.
Forecast And Threats
Forecast Cone
Projected Path
(The red-shaded area denotes the potential path of the center of the tropical cyclone. It’s important to note that impacts (particularly heavy rain, high surf, coastal flooding, winds) with any tropical cyclone usually spread beyond its forecast path.)
Watches And Warnings
Watch, Warnings
(A watch is issued when tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. A warning is issued when those conditions are expected within 36 hours.)
Rainfall Forecast
Additional Rain Forecast
(This should be interpreted as a broad forecast of where the heaviest rain may fall and may shift based on the forecast path of the tropical cyclone. Higher amounts may occur where bands of rain stall over a period of a few hours. )
Hurricane Force Wind Chance
Hurricane Wind Chances
(The contours above show the chance of hurricane-force winds (at least 74 mph), according to the latest forecast by the National Hurricane Center.
)
Model Track Forecasts
(The lines on this graphic represent several of the many track forecasts from various computer models over the next six days. This is not an official forecast, but these are used as guidance for creating the projected path.
)
Storm Surge
Storm Surge Forecast
(The National Hurricane Center has identified several regions at risk of significant storm surge from Hurricane Melissa. The threat is highest near and to the east of the storm’s center at landfall, so the height of the storm tide depends on the tide and the location of landfall.)
Other Maps
Current Wind Field
Current Wind Field Size
(The orange circle shows the extent of the system’s tropical-storm-force winds (at least 39 mph). The purple circle indicates the extent of hurricane-force winds (at least 74 mph), according to the National Hurricane Center.
)
Current Wind Shear
Wind Shear
(Areas of strong wind shear, the difference in wind speed and direction with height, are shown in purple. High wind shear is hostile to mature tropical cyclones and those trying to develop.)
Ocean Warmth
Ocean Heat Content
(This map shows areas of not only warm water, but warm, deep water that is one ingredient to fuel developing and active tropical cyclones.
)
Hurricane Season Tracks, So Far
2025 Historical Tropical Tracks
(This map shows the tracks from all tropical systems to date this hurricane season. )
Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world’s biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
