Hurricane Melissa intensified significantly between 4:48 PM and 6:18 PM UTC on October 26th, 2025, with an extrapolated pressure of 953.6 hPa and sustained winds of 122 knots at 10,000 feet, according to updated reports. Further details from an eye dropsonde within Hurricane Melissa placed its central pressure closer to 946-947 hPa, with reports of 26-knot winds near the surface, indicating the eye is beginning to clear, as stated by meteorologist Mike Adcock. Model forecasts from HAFS-A and HAFS-B suggest varying landfall intensities, with HAFS-A predicting a high-end Category 4 storm and HAFS-B forecasting a Category 5 at landfall, with HAFS-B indicating Melissa could reach 185 mph sustained winds just offshore, as noted by Florida Tropics. Earlier on Saturday, October 26th, 2025, Hurricane Melissa was observed near Palisadoes strip in Kingston, Jamaica. Previous forecasts from the Deepmind model had predicted the storm would reach Category 5 strength with average peak wind speeds of 175 mph, with 45 out of 50 model members agreeing on Category 5 status. This intensification occurs in the wake of severe weather activity reported along the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines earlier on Saturday, October 26th, 2025, where multiple tornadoes were observed. One tornado crossed Interstate 10 near Moss Point, Mississippi, and another caused damage in Gautier, Mississippi, while a tornado threat was noted near Orange Beach, Alabama.
