Overview
- Hurricane Melissa’s strength elevated the season’s accumulated cyclone energy beyond the National Weather Service’s average, with major-hurricane counts running above normal even as overall storm numbers are near average.
- Rapid attribution from Imperial College London reports human-caused warming made the storm roughly four times more likely and increased its peak winds by about 11 mph.
- The cyclone underwent exceptional rapid intensification, tied top-tier North Atlantic records for wind and pressure, and struck Jamaica at Category 5 with sustained winds reported near 183 mph.
- Reporting cites at least 49 deaths across the northern Caribbean, including children in Haiti, as officials continue refining casualty and damage assessments.
- Scientists are split over hurricane metrics, with some urging a new Category 6 or a broader overhaul to account for rainfall and surge, while others argue the existing scale remains sufficient for comparisons.