> Days of devastating impacts: Parts of Jamaica could be hammered with torrential rainfall and destructive winds for up to 72 hours or longer.> Back-to-back landfalls in the Caribbean: AccuWeather hurricane experts predict Melissa to make landfall in Jamaica as a major hurricane early next week, then strike Cuba before moving into the Bahamas.

> Life-threatening conditions: Melissa is now a 5 for the western Caribbean and a 1 for Puerto Rico on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes. A 5 is the highest rating on AccuWeather’s innovative six-point scale.

> US East Coast on alert: Rough surf, beach erosion, and some stormy conditions are expected along parts of the East Coast next week due to Melissa, as well as a coastal storm that is expected to develop.

AccuWeather® Global Weather Center – Oct. 24, 2025 – AccuWeather® hurricane experts say Melissa is forecast to bring days of relentless rainfall and destructive winds to the western Caribbean, and it will pose a catastrophic risk to lives and property across parts of Haiti and all of Jamaica.

“Melissa is forecast to rapidly intensify to a major hurricane while slowly churning over the warm waters of the Caribbean. Because the storm is expected to move so slowly, some parts of Jamaica could experience hurricane conditions for 72 hours or longer.” AccuWeather® Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva warned. “Melissa is evolving into a slow-motion disaster. Millions of people are at risk of catastrophic impacts. We are increasingly concerned about the threat of a humanitarian disaster unfolding.”

Rainfall totals of 8 inches or more are expected across a wide swath of the Caribbean Islands. AccuWeather® hurricane experts say the highest amounts are forecast in southern Haiti, Jamaica and eastern Cuba, where a widespread 12–18 inches of rain is likely. Far southwestern Haiti and Jamaica are expected to receive 18-24 inches of rain from Melissa.  

The rugged, mountainous terrain across some of these islands will enhance rainfall intensity. In the most extreme cases, rainfall totals could approach the AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 50 inches, leading to catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides. 

Wind gusts of 80–120 mph are forecast for Jamaica on Sunday and Monday with impacts extending into eastern Cuba early next week. An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 165 mph is possible on land.


Storm surge of 6-10 feet is possible in parts of Jamaica, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 15 feet.  

AccuWeather® is forecasting Melissa to make landfall as a major hurricane in Jamaica early next week, before making a second landfall in Cuba.  

“Several days of heavy rainfall will likely cause life-threatening and widespread flash flooding. Mudslides and road washouts could cut off communities. Extreme winds from the slow-moving hurricane are expected to damage homes and businesses throughout the western Caribbean,” DaSilva said. “Power and communication networks could be knocked offline for days or even weeks. By the time the storm ends, rainfall totals in some areas may be measured in feet rather than inches. Rapid intensification to a Category 5 hurricane is not out of the question.” 

AccuWeather® hurricane experts have upgraded the risk to lives and property from extreme to a catastrophic level for all of Jamaica and parts of western Haiti.  

Due to widespread life-threatening flooding rain, mudslides and strong winds, Melissa has been upgraded to a 5 for the western Caribbean and a 1 for Puerto Rico on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes. 

“The slower a hurricane moves, the longer the rain, wind, and storm surge can hammer communities with devastating impacts. People in the path of this storm need to prepare for a long-duration event,” DaSilva said. “Given the slow movement and forecast track for this storm, some areas could endure hours of wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and days of relentless rainfall. Visitors who did not evacuate need to hunker down in a safe location. Some airports on the islands could be shut down for an extended period of time.” 

AccuWeather® expert meteorologists say the dip in the jet stream could generate a new storm, or perhaps a potent nor’easter, along the Atlantic coast Tuesday through Thursday.

This coastal storm, when combined with Melissa offshore, will stir up gusty winds, rough surf, and could lead to more beach erosion issues.