Unmanned aircraft systems deployed by NOAA42 measured an average wind speed of 146 knots at 500 meters above ground level in Hurricane Melissa at approximately 12:46 AM UTC on October 26th, according to a tweet from meteorologist Xiaoqian Wu. Strong turbulence within the eyewall of the storm is reportedly affecting data collection. This measurement comes as Hurricane Melissa continues its approach towards Jamaica, where all airports were scheduled to close at 9 PM local time on October 25th. Previous advisories from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicated that Melissa was forecast to become a Category 5 storm, potentially causing catastrophic and life-threatening conditions, including severe flash flooding, landslides, extensive infrastructural damage, and prolonged power and communication outages. Earlier on October 25th, at 11:47 PM UTC, NOAA 42 measured an extrapolated pressure of 970.8 hPa with peak flight-level winds of 97 knots, estimated to translate to approximately 85 knots at the surface. Residents in Kingston were urged to complete final preparations amid the approaching storm. The NHC had previously warned on October 24th that storm surge could reach 9 to 13 feet above ground level along the southern coast. The storm's slow and erratic path since advisories began on October 21st has been a notable characteristic.
