Hurricane Melissa: Strongest Landfalling Atlantic Hurricane on Record

Hurricane Melissa's Historic Landfall

• 🌀 Hurricane Melissa is set to make history as the strongest landfalling hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin.
• 🎯 It tied the central pressure of 892 millibars with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane.
• ⚡ With sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts up to 225 mph at landfall, Melissa surpasses all previously recorded storms in the Atlantic.

Impact on Jamaica and Cuba

• 💥 Catastrophic damage has been reported to structures on the west side of Jamaica following the storm's initial landfall.
• ⛰️ The mountainous terrain of Jamaica disrupted the storm's circulation, weakening it to a Category 3.
• 📍 Melissa is currently tracking toward eastern Cuba, with landfall expected near Santiago de Cuba around midnight.

Storm's Projected Path and Intensity

• 📈 After crossing Cuba, Melissa is expected to re-strengthen slightly before making its second landfall.
• 🌊 The storm is forecast to impact the southern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday.
• 💨 It is then projected to graze Bermuda as a strong Category 2 or weak Category 1 storm by Friday before accelerating north.

Factors Contributing to Melissa's Strength

• 🌡️ The storm fed off the extremely warm waters of the Caribbean, with sea surface temperatures near 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 🌊 Deep warm water provided ample energy for the hurricane to intensify significantly.
• ⚠️ The storm was completely vertically stacked and un-sheared, indicating optimal conditions for intensification.