Hurricane Melissa Weakens to Category 3, Approaches Cuba and Bermuda

Hurricane Melissa's Current Status and Trajectory

• 🌀 As of the 8:00 p.m. advisory, Hurricane Melissa has weakened to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.
• 📍 The storm's core is over water, pulling away from Jamaica, and is located 50 miles east-northeast of Montego Bay and 160 miles southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba.
• 📈 Melissa is moving north-northeasterly at 8 mph and could gain strength from warm, moist air before landfall.

Landfall and Impact on Cuba

• 🎯 Hurricane Melissa is headed toward Cuba, with landfall expected along the south coast of eastern Cuba late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
• ⚠️ Conditions are deteriorating over eastern Cuba, with tropical storm-force winds already impacting areas like Kingston, Guantánamo, and Santiago de Cuba.
• 🌊 Hurricane-force winds extend 30 miles from the center, and stronger wind energy is expected to push over eastern Cuba.
• 🌧️ The rainfall forecast for Cuba is significant, with 10 to 20 inches expected between tonight and tomorrow, potentially reaching 25 inches in localized areas.
• 🌊 A storm surge of 8 to 12 inches is also forecast along the southeast coast of eastern Cuba.

Forecasted Path and Warnings

• 📈 Hurricane Melissa is forecast to approach the coast of Cuba as a Category 4 storm, with winds starting at 130 mph.
• 🗺️ After moving over eastern Cuba overnight, the storm is expected to set its sights on the southeastern central Bahamas vicinity by Wednesday afternoon, where a hurricane warning is in effect.
• ⚠️ By Thursday evening, Melissa, though potentially weaker, is expected to approach Bermuda, which is currently under a hurricane watch.