Hurricane Melissa was a powerful Atlantic hurricane that affected the Caribbean in October 2025. It is not currently active. As of August 2026, there is no Hurricane Melissa in the Atlantic.
The storm became especially important because it rapidly strengthened over the Caribbean Sea and reached Category 5 strength before making landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025. It later crossed eastern Cuba, moved through the Bahamas, passed near Bermuda, and then moved into the North Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center classified Melissa as a post-tropical cyclone on October 31, 2025.
This guide explains where Hurricane Melissa was, where it traveled, where it made landfall, and which Caribbean areas were affected.
Hurricane Melissa was a 2025 Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025. It then moved across eastern Cuba, the Bahamas, and toward Bermuda before becoming a post-tropical cyclone over the North Atlantic on October 31. It is no longer an active storm.
Quick Facts About Hurricane Melissa
| Fact | Details |
| Storm name | Hurricane Melissa |
| Year | 2025 |
| Basin | Atlantic Ocean |
| Main region affected | Caribbean |
| Strongest category | Category 5 |
| Maximum sustained winds | 185 mph |
| Jamaica landfall | October 28, 2025 |
| Landfall area | Southwestern Jamaica |
| Later affected | Cuba, Bahamas, Bermuda |
| Final stage | Post-tropical cyclone |
| No longer active | Yes |
Where Was Hurricane Melissa?
Hurricane Melissa was located in the Caribbean Sea during the early and most dangerous part of its life. It developed into a tropical storm in the Caribbean in October 2025 and slowly moved toward Jamaica.
Its track then carried it across Jamaica, eastern Cuba, the Bahamas, and toward Bermuda before it moved into the North Atlantic. The storm became increasingly fast-moving as it traveled northeast.
So, if you are asking “Where is Hurricane Melissa now?”, the answer is that it is no longer a hurricane. It completed its life cycle in late October 2025.
Where Did Hurricane Melissa Make Landfall?
Melissa made its major landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025.
The National Hurricane Center reported that the center reached land near New Hope, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of about 185 mph. At that time, Melissa was a Category 5 hurricane. Its center was about 25 miles southeast of Negril.
This made the Jamaica landfall one of the strongest Atlantic hurricane landfalls on record. NOAA later described Melissa as one of the strongest Atlantic basin hurricane landfalls ever recorded.
Where Is Jamaica in Relation to Hurricane Melissa?
Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Hispaniola.
Melissa approached Jamaica from the south and eventually moved across the island from the southwest. The storm’s slow movement before landfall allowed heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, and landslides to affect large parts of the country.
The storm’s center was about 100 miles south of Kingston during an earlier stage of its approach.
Jamaica became the main focus of the storm because Melissa reached its peak intensity shortly before landfall.
What Was Hurricane Melissa’s Path?
Melissa followed a long path through the Caribbean and western Atlantic.
A simplified version of its path was:
Caribbean Sea → Jamaica → eastern Cuba → Bahamas → near Bermuda → North Atlantic
The storm first threatened parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic while moving slowly through the Caribbean. It then turned toward Jamaica and made landfall there.
After crossing Jamaica, Melissa moved toward southeastern Cuba. It later moved offshore and traveled across or near the Bahamas before approaching Bermuda.
By October 31, the system was moving rapidly northeast away from Bermuda.
Which Countries Were Affected by Hurricane Melissa?
Several Caribbean countries and territories experienced impacts from Melissa.
The most important affected areas included:
- Jamaica
- Haiti
- Dominican Republic
- Cuba
- The Bahamas
- Bermuda
Jamaica experienced the strongest direct impact because Melissa made landfall there as a Category 5 hurricane. Eastern Cuba was also hit by a major hurricane after Melissa crossed Jamaica. The Bahamas and Bermuda were later affected as the storm moved northeast.
Where Was Hurricane Melissa When It Was Strongest?
Melissa reached its peak strength near Jamaica on October 28, 2025.
The National Hurricane Center measured maximum sustained winds of 185 mph and a minimum central pressure of 892 millibars. At the time, the hurricane was near southwestern Jamaica.
The storm’s extremely low pressure and very high wind speed made this an exceptionally intense hurricane.
NOAA reported that Melissa underwent rapid intensification, with its wind speed increasing by 115 mph over a 72-hour period before its Jamaica landfall.
Did Hurricane Melissa Hit Cuba?
Yes. Melissa moved across eastern Cuba after leaving Jamaica.
The hurricane weakened after crossing Jamaica, but it remained dangerous. The National Hurricane Center reported that Melissa was offshore of eastern Cuba on October 29 and continued to produce damaging winds and flooding rains.
Cuba’s eastern provinces, including areas around Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo, were among the areas at risk.
Land interaction with Jamaica and later Cuba caused the hurricane to weaken, although its large wind and rain field continued to create serious hazards.
Did Hurricane Melissa Reach the Bahamas?
Yes. After moving away from Cuba, Melissa traveled toward the Bahamas.
On October 29, the storm was near the central Bahamas and was producing damaging winds, flooding rain, and dangerous storm surge.
By October 30, Melissa was northeast of the Bahamas and moving quickly toward Bermuda. The Bahamas were therefore part of the later stage of the storm’s track rather than its strongest landfall area.
Did Hurricane Melissa Hit Bermuda?
Melissa did not make a direct landfall on Bermuda, but it passed close enough to bring strong conditions to the island.
On October 31, the National Hurricane Center reported that Melissa’s center was about 150 miles north-northwest of Bermuda during its closest approach. Hurricane-force wind gusts were reported on the island.
The storm was already weakening and losing its tropical characteristics at this point.
What Happened to Hurricane Melissa?
After passing near Bermuda, Melissa accelerated northeastward into the North Atlantic.
By the morning of October 31, 2025, the National Hurricane Center said Melissa was expected to become an extratropical cyclone. Its tropical structure was weakening as it moved over cooler ocean water.
Melissa eventually became a post-tropical cyclone. This means it was no longer classified as a tropical hurricane, even though strong winds could still remain around the larger storm system.
Therefore, Hurricane Melissa does not have a current location today. Its active hurricane life ended in 2025.
How Strong Was Hurricane Melissa?
Melissa reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Its peak recorded maximum sustained winds were approximately 185 mph. Its minimum central pressure was approximately 892 millibars when it approached southwestern Jamaica.
The storm weakened after crossing Jamaica and Cuba. By October 30, its maximum sustained winds were around 105 mph as it approached Bermuda, and it continued weakening afterward.
Why Was Hurricane Melissa So Dangerous?
Melissa was dangerous for several reasons.
First, it became extremely strong in a short period. Second, it moved slowly while approaching Jamaica, which increased the amount of time some areas were exposed to heavy rain and strong winds.
The storm also produced several different hazards, including:
- Hurricane-force winds
- Extreme rainfall
- Flash flooding
- Landslides
- Storm surge
- Dangerous waves
- Coastal flooding
- Power and transportation disruptions
NOAA reported extensive damage across Jamaica, Hispaniola, and eastern Cuba.
Is Hurricane Melissa Still Active?
No. Hurricane Melissa is not active.
Melissa was a hurricane in October 2025, not 2026. It became a post-tropical cyclone on October 31, 2025, after moving away from Bermuda and into the North Atlantic.
If you see an old hurricane-tracking page showing Melissa’s location near Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, or Bermuda, that information refers to the storm’s 2025 track, not its current position.
Is Hurricane Melissa the Same as the 2019 Storm?
No. There was also a storm named Melissa in 2019, but it was a different weather system.
The 2019 Melissa developed off the northeastern United States and became a tropical storm after starting as a subtropical system. It was much different from the powerful Caribbean hurricane of 2025. The National Hurricane Center’s 2019 report identifies it as Tropical Storm Melissa from October 11–14, 2019.
The hurricane discussed in this article is Hurricane Melissa of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hurricane Melissa right now?
Hurricane Melissa is not currently anywhere because it is no longer an active tropical cyclone. It was a 2025 hurricane that ended its tropical life on October 31, 2025. The storm moved from the Caribbean toward Bermuda and then into the North Atlantic.
Where did Hurricane Melissa hit?
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025. It struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of about 185 mph.
What country did Hurricane Melissa hit hardest?
Jamaica experienced the strongest direct impact. Melissa made its Category 5 landfall in southwestern Jamaica. The storm also caused serious impacts in Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda.
Was Hurricane Melissa a Category 5?
Yes. Melissa reached Category 5 strength in the Atlantic before making landfall in Jamaica. Its maximum sustained winds reached approximately 185 mph.
When did Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica?
Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025. The National Hurricane Center reported landfall near New Hope with winds of approximately 185 mph.
Did Hurricane Melissa hit the United States?
Melissa did not make a U.S. landfall. Its main path was through the Caribbean and western Atlantic. It affected Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda before moving northeast into the Atlantic.
Did Hurricane Melissa hit Haiti?
Haiti was affected by Melissa, especially through heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides. The storm was near Haiti and the Dominican Republic during its early Caribbean stage before moving toward Jamaica.
When did Hurricane Melissa end?
Melissa lost its tropical characteristics on October 31, 2025, becoming a post-tropical cyclone as it moved quickly northeast into the North Atlantic.
Where did Hurricane Melissa go after Jamaica?
After crossing Jamaica, Melissa moved toward eastern Cuba, then toward the Bahamas, and later passed near Bermuda. It then continued northeast into the North Atlantic.
Why can I still find Hurricane Melissa on tracking maps?
Older hurricane tracking maps keep historical storms available for research and reference. If you see Melissa on a map, it normally shows its 2025 historical track, not a current storm. Melissa is no longer an active hurricane.
Where Hurricane Melissa Was and Where It Went
Hurricane Melissa was a 2025 Atlantic hurricane that developed in the Caribbean Sea and became one of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall in the Atlantic basin. Its most important location was southwestern Jamaica, where it made landfall on October 28 with maximum sustained winds of about 185 mph.
After Jamaica, Melissa crossed toward eastern Cuba, moved through the Bahamas, and passed near Bermuda. It then continued into the North Atlantic and became a post-tropical cyclone on October 31.
So, if you are searching “where is Hurricane Melissa,” remember that this is a historical storm. There is no active Hurricane Melissa today. Its 2025 track mainly affected the Caribbean before the storm moved northeast into the Atlantic.
Where Is Hurricane Melissa? Final Answer
Hurricane Melissa was a powerful Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 2025. It developed in the Caribbean Sea and made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025, with maximum sustained winds of about 185 mph. It later crossed eastern Cuba, moved toward the Bahamas, passed near Bermuda, and continued into the North Atlantic.
Hurricane Melissa is not active today. The storm lost its tropical characteristics and became a post-tropical cyclone on October 31, 2025. Therefore, if you are looking for Hurricane Melissa on a storm-tracking map, you are viewing its historical 2025 path rather than a current hurricane.
The main areas affected by Melissa included Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Jamaica experienced the strongest direct impact because Melissa made its Category 5 landfall there.
For anyone searching “where is Hurricane Melissa,” the key point is that Melissa is now a historical storm. Its final track took it from the Caribbean toward Bermuda and then into the North Atlantic.
Silas Vance is a geography enthusiast, travel researcher, and location-focused content writer dedicated to helping readers better understand the world around them on triporra.com. He specializes in creating informative guides about cities, countries, islands, landmarks, universities, and other notable destinations. His work combines geographic accuracy, historical context, and practical insights to answer location-based questions in a simple and engaging way.
