DEVELOPING: Hurricane Melissa is continuing to strengthen, with its eye structure failing, as indicated by the latest microwave imagery, according to a report from StormHQwx at 8:16 PM UTC on October 26th, 2025. The storm is expected to continue intensifying throughout the day. This development follows a period of significant structural changes observed in the hurricane's eye between 5:45 PM and 7:15 PM UTC on October 26th, 2025, when Hurricane Hunters documented instantaneous wind gusts of 130-145+ knots in the northeast eyewall. Dropsonde data shared between 6:19 PM and 7:18 PM UTC suggested these powerful winds could reach the surface due to recent pressure falls. Earlier reports 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 placed its central pressure closer to 946-947 hPa with surface winds near 26 knots, suggesting the eye was beginning to clear. Model forecasts from the HAFS-A and HAFS-B models varied, with HAFS-A predicting a high-end Category 4 and HAFS-B forecasting a Category 5 at landfall. These observations come as 49 out of 50 DeepMind model members predicted Hurricane Melissa would reach Category 5 strength, with 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. Earlier on Saturday, October 26th, 2025, Hurricane Melissa was observed near Palisadoes strip in Kingston, Jamaica.
