Hurricane Melissa has officially reached major hurricane status, causing significant concern across the Caribbean. With its development into a hurricane occurring on Saturday at 1:40 PM, Melissa is now classified as a Category 4 hurricane as of Sunday morning.
Hurricane Melissa’s Current Status
The storm is moving slowly at approximately 8 km/h and packing maximum sustained winds of 225 km/h. Melissa is the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic season and has already claimed three lives in Haiti.
Impact on the Caribbean
Melissa’s trajectory remains uncertain, but it is expected to hit Jamaica between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. The slow movement of the storm raises concerns about its potential for catastrophic flooding in affected areas.
- Forecasted rainfall for Jamaica: 500 to 900 mm.
- Rainfall expected in some areas of Haiti: locally over 500 mm.
Patrick Duplessis, a meteorologist, emphasizes the severe weather conditions Jamaica will face, including strong winds and prolonged rainfall. Such extreme precipitation increases the likelihood of flooding and landslides in these regions.
Future Projections for Hurricane Melissa
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, there are fears that it could intensify into a Category 5 hurricane due to favorable conditions including low wind shear and warm ocean waters.
After impacting Jamaica, Melissa is projected to continue its path northward, potentially interacting with a low-pressure system from Colorado. This could keep the storm close to the coast, with heavy rainfall and high winds expected in Quebec on Halloween.
The situation requires constant monitoring, as the effects of Hurricane Melissa pose dangers not just in the Caribbean but also in parts of Canada.
