Hurricane Melissa is nearing Category 5 strength as of 9:15 PM UTC on October 26th, 2025, with observation posts like StormHQwx stating the storm "is now the best it has ever looked." A NOAA Hurricane Hunter mission, N42RF, is preparing to take off from Lakeland, Florida, to gather data on the intensifying storm. Over the past hour, meteorologists noted Hurricane Melissa "may be making a run at Category 5 strength currently," according to PettusWX. The N42RF mission, with meteorologist Matthew Cappucci onboard, is expected to provide updates upon landing around 1 AM UTC. This intensified observation comes as previous reports indicated significant structural changes in the storm's eye between 5:45 PM and 7:15 PM UTC, with wind gusts of 130-145+ knots recorded in the northeast eyewall. Earlier reports, prior to this reporting window, indicated Hurricane Melissa had an extrapolated pressure of 953.6 hPa and sustained winds of 122 knots at 10,000 feet. Further eye dropsonde data placed its central pressure closer to 946-947 hPa with surface winds near 26 knots, suggesting the eye was beginning to clear. Model forecasts have varied, with some predicting a high-end Category 4 and others a Category 5 storm at landfall, with 49 out of 50 DeepMind model members predicting Category 5 intensity and a potential landfall on the western side of Jamaica. Warnings for high storm surge and possible tornadoes were issued for the eastern side of the island. Hurricane Melissa was previously observed near Palisadoes strip in Kingston, Jamaica.
