Hurricane Melissa breaks records in winds, pressure and rain in the Caribbean • News • Forbes México

Hurricane Melissa, Category 5, threatens to become one of the most devastating hurricanes in recent years, due to the maximum sustained winds of almost 300 kilometers per hour with which it will make landfall in Jamaica and the heavy rains that accompany it.

Before its entry into Jamaica, scheduled at 18:00 UTC, Melissa has already become the most powerful hurricane and the third category 5, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale in the current season in the Atlantic. An “extremely dangerous” storm, according to experts.

This is the first time since 2005 that three or more maximum intensity hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic. That year he observed four Category 5 cyclones, including Katrina that devastated the southern United States.

Additionally, Melissa will be the first hurricane to make landfall in the Atlantic as a Category 5 since 2019, when Dorian hit the Bahamas.

Melissa’s wind speed is also the highest on record so far this season, with maximum sustained winds of 297 kilometers per hour (185 miles).

Lower pressure but faster wind gusts

This hurricane is also one of those with one of the lowest pressures in its eye in recent history at 892 millibars. At lower pressure, the acceleration of the winds is greater, which increases their speed and the intensity of the cyclone.

Wilma, with 882 millibars in 2005, and Gilbert, with 888 millibars in 1988, are the only two Atlantic hurricanes recorded to date with a lower pressure. Although Gilbert hit Jamaica, it did so as a Category 3 hurricane.

By comparison, devastating Katrina, the costliest hurricane in recent U.S. history, had a minimum pressure at its center of 902 millibars.

In terms of rainfall, Hurricane Melissa is on track to set records due to the extreme accumulation that is predicted, especially due to the slowness of its movement.

Melissa is currently moving at about 9 kilometers per hour, which may aggravate its effects on land.

Forecasts from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) estimate that the cyclone will generate accumulated rainfall of between 38 and 76 centimeters (15 to 30 inches) over the island, with maximums of up to 1 meter (40 inches), which will cause flash flooding and widespread landslides.

Since it was formed on Tuesday of last week, Melissa has caused the death of at least nine people: three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, two in Panama and one in the Dominican Republic.

Hurricane Grace, in 2021, was the last hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica.

After passing through this Caribbean island, Melissa is expected to cross southeast Cuba on Wednesday and arrive in the Bahamas on Thursday.