Hurricane Melissa underwent significant structural changes to its eye over approximately 90 minutes, as observed by Hurricane Hunters, with dropsonde data from the northeast eyewall confirming instantaneous gusts of 130-145+ knots between 5:45 PM and 7:15 PM UTC on October 26th, 2025. Some of these powerful winds are expected to reach the surface due to recent pressure falls, according to observations shared between 6:19 PM and 7:18 PM UTC. This period of intense observation highlights a remarkable transformation in the storm's eye over an hour and a half. The dropsonde data provided strong indications of wind speeds exceeding 145 knots, as reported by storm chasers and meteorologists. Previous reports from earlier on October 26th, 2025, indicated Hurricane Melissa had intensified with an extrapolated pressure of 953.6 hPa and sustained winds of 122 knots at 10,000 feet. Further eye dropsonde data had placed its central pressure closer to 946-947 hPa with surface winds near 26 knots, suggesting the eye was beginning to clear. Model forecasts at that time (prior to this observation window) varied on landfall intensity, with some predicting a high-end Category 4 and others a Category 5 storm. Earlier on Saturday, October 26th, 2025, Hurricane Melissa was observed near Palisadoes strip in Kingston, Jamaica. Separately, severe weather, including multiple tornadoes, impacted coastal Mississippi and threatened areas of Alabama on Saturday, October 26th, 2025, with one tornado crossing Interstate 10 near Moss Point, Mississippi, and another causing damage in Gautier, Mississippi.
