ETEOROLOGICAL SERVICE, JAMAICA

Branch of the Ministry of Water, Environment & Climate Change
Telephone: 876-924-8055/924-8404

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, October 24, 2025 — 8:00 p.m.
BULLETIN No: 26

***
HURRICANE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA WITH

TROPICAL STORM MELISSA EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY INTENSIFY
***

A HURRICANE WARNING is now in effect for Jamaica, as Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to rapidly strengthen while moving closer to the island.

At 7:00 p.m., the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 16.2 degrees North, longitude 74.6 degrees West. This is about 360 kilometres (225 miles) southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and about 254 kilometres (159 miles) southeast of Morant Point, and 310 kilometres (190 miles) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

Tropical Storm Melissa is moving slowly toward the north near 4 km/h (2 mph) and a turn toward the west slow is forecast on Saturday and will continue through Monday. A turn to the north and northeast is forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 100 km/h (65 mph), with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is now forecast over the next several days and Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane tomorrow and a major hurricane by Sunday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 220 kilometres (140 miles) from the centre.

On the forecast track, the centre of Melissa is expected to move from south to north over central Jamaica early next week and over eastern Cuba by the middle of the week.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to be a major rainfall producer over Jamaica. Rainfall amounts reaching 300 to 400 millimetres (12 to 16 inches) are forecast for the island over the weekend, starting in eastern parishes and gradually spreading westward across the island during the course of next week. Locally higher amounts are possible and residents should take note.

As the tropical storm moves closer to the island, expect strong, gusty winds reaching tropical storm force to initially affect eastem parishes later this evening and continuing into the weekend across the island. Hurricane force winds are also possible from as early as Sunday.

While marine areas will see further deterioration tonight, small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.

The Meteorological Service continues to closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Melissa, and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further releases.

The next Bulletin on this system will be issued at 11:00 p.m. today.

Note:

HURRICANE WARNING means that the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected to affect Jamaica within 36 hours or less:

• Dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less than hurricane force;

• Average winds 64 knots (119 km/h) or higher.

For recorded updates, please dial 116. See also our website at http://metservice.gov.jm

For more information on Tropical Storm Melissa, visit https://share.google/8BxY1ogxpMLVRTuuj