Article first published: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 4 a.m. ET
Article last updated: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 10 p.m. ET
System type: Hurricane, Category 2
System name: Melissa
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 10 p.m. Wednesday advisory, there were a lot of changes. Melissa developed into a Category 3 hurricane, before weakening to a Category 2 hurricane. Then, it weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and was later upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph. Melissa left Cuba and headed to the Atlantic Ocean. Category 2 Hurricane Melissa is in the Atlantic Ocean, 105 miles east-northeast of the Central Bahamas and 800 miles southwest of Bermuda. The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, is moving to the north-northeast at 21 mph.
“… the core of Melissa is expected to continue moving near the southeastern or central Bahamas overnight, and is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night”, according to analysts. They also said “Further strengthening is possible tomorrow before weakening likely begins on Friday.”
Watches and warnings currently in effect
• Hurricane Warning for:
• Southeastern and Central Bahamas
• Bermuda
• Tropical Storm Warning for Turks and Caicos Islands
Meaning of the different watches and warnings
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Residents in the Bahamas should remain sheltered. In Bermuda, preparations should be underway and be completed before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
Hazards affecting land
Wind. Hurricane conditions are occurring within the warning area in the southeastern and central Bahamas and should continue overnight.
Tropical storm conditions are ongoing in the Turks and Caicos Islands and should continue overnight.
Hurricane conditions are expected on Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night with tropical storm conditions expected earlier on Thursday.
Rainfall. Over the Southeastern Bahamas, storm total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected through Thursday morning, which will result in areas of flash flooding. For the Turks and Caicos, rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected. Over southern Hispaniola, additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected through tonight, with storm total local maxima of 40 inches. Across Bermuda, outer bands east of Melissa’s track may bring up to an inch or 25 mm of rain Thursday and Thursday night.
For a complete forecast of rainfall associated with Melissa, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?rainqpf
Storm surge. Storm surge of 4 to 7 ft above normally dry ground is possible in the southeastern Bahamas overnight, and minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands overnight.
Surf. Swells generated by Melissa will continue to affect portions of Hispaniola, Cuba, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands for the next few days, and will spread toward Bermuda later this week, causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Source: National Hurricane Center