Hurricane Melissa Rapidly Intensifies To Major Storm Before Category 5 Landfall In Jamaica

Already deadly as a tropical storm, Melissa rapidly intensified to a Category 3 hurricane late Saturday night, officially upgrading the system to major status to ratchet up forecasts for Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, with each nation potentially suffering life-threatening impacts. according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Over the next few days, Melissa is forecasted to continue rapid intensification into a massive Category 5 hurricane, per the NHC. (RELATED: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic Could See Halloween Plans Ruined Thanks To Potential Spooky Nor’easter)

Located 125 miles from Kingston, Jamaica to the southeast direction, Melissa currently has 115 mph maximum sustained winds, according to the 11:00 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

In their forecast discussion for Hurricane Melissa, they used rare language to warn Jamaica of possible impacts, stating “Extensive infrastructural damage, long-duration power and communication outages, and potentially prolonged isolation of communities.”

11pm EDT 10/25: Major Hurricane #Melissa Key Messages: Melissa is now a Category 3 hurricane and is expected to continue rapidly intensifying. Residents of #Jamaica should seek shelter now and stay inside for the next several days as damaging winds and heavy rain have begun, and… pic.twitter.com/ybZLrLzJcz

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 26, 2025

This is a developing story. Stay with the Daily Caller for updates.