Tropical Storm Melissa Expected To Become ‘Dangerous’ Category 4 Hurricane As It Strengthens Before Potential Landfall

Millions of people in Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are getting prepared for heavy rainfall, flooding and powerful winds as Tropical Storm Melissa, expected to develop into a Category 4 hurricane, zigzags in the central Caribbean Sea.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Melissa could potentially form into a hurricane by Friday, eventually graduating to Category 4 strength by Monday to potentially produce 130 mph winds. (RELATED: Wild Video Shows Woman Getting Blown Into Traffic By Strong Winds In New Zealand)

“Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly likely that Melissa will become a large and dangerous hurricane by the end of the forecast period,” stated the NHC.

10/22 5pm EDT Tropical Storm #Melissa Key Messages: Life threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides for #Haiti, #Jamaica & portions of the #DominicanRepublic is the most significant potential threat over the next several days.

See https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ for more info pic.twitter.com/D9dTTX70e9

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 22, 2025

In the atmosphere’s mid-levels, Tropical Storm Melissa is currently in a battle against strong wind shear and moderate amounts of dry air, which are two elements that are normally detrimental to tropical systems if they’re long-lasting, per Gulf Coast News.

However, due to Melissa meandering over incredibly hot waters in the Caribbean, it’s expected that the storm will become a major hurricane, according to the NHC.

I was skeptical of Melissa, but finally in on it becoming a major hurricane. Despite battle with shear, dry air, etc., she’s strengthening.

Waters are so hot, and she’s tracking far enough west (humid air), it’s creating such pure fuel to beat conditions. We have a rare jewel. pic.twitter.com/rsBBCDmOgz

— Andrew Powell (@AndrewPow3ll) October 22, 2025

As far as the track of Tropical Storm Melissa, the National Hurricane Center is still saying it’s a challenge to determine where exactly it will go, and what the system’s impacts will be while it hovers in the Caribbean Sea, potentially for several days.

A Hurricane Watch is currently in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince, while a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Jamaica, per the NHC.