Overview
- An Air Force Reserve WC-130J (TEAL 75) terminated its mission and diverted to Curaçao for inspection after severe turbulence and dramatic altitude swings inside Melissa’s eyewall.
- A dropsonde from that flight reported a central pressure near 893 mb and a 252 mph gust just above the ocean surface, with the extraordinary gust pending verification.
- NOAA’s P-3 Orion “Kermit” cut a low-level pass short after encountering intense turbulence while sampling sustained winds near 165 mph in the northeastern eyewall.
- Melissa reached Category 5 strength with reported sustained winds around 185 mph and a central pressure near 892 mb as it neared and struck Jamaica.
- Officials reported no injuries, noted possible airframe stress under review, and highlighted that hurricane-hunter operations continued during a government shutdown that affects pay and readiness.