Article first published: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 4 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, 1 a.m. ET

System type: Hurricane, Category 2

System name: Melissa

The National Hurricane Center’s 1 a.m. Thursday advisory reported that there were several developments. Melissa developed into a Category 3 hurricane, before devolving 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, 145 miles northeast of the Central Bahamas and 755 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 move away from the southeastern and central Bahamas this morning, then pass near or to the west of Bermuda later today and tonight”, analysts explained about the hurricane. They also said “Further strengthening is possible today 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 rushed to completion before tropical-storm-force winds reach the island later today.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

Hazards affecting land

Wind. Hurricane conditions, mainly in gusts, will continue over the southeastern and central Bahamas for the next few hours. Tropical storm conditions, mainly in gusts, will continue in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the next few hours.

On Bermuda, tropical storm conditions will begin later today and hurricane conditions are expected tonight.

Rainfall. Over the Southeastern Bahamas, storm total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected through this 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 early this morning, with storm total local maxima of 40 inches.

Across Bermuda, outer bands east of Melissa’s track may bring up to an inch (25 mm) of rain today and tonight.

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 couple of days, and will spread toward Bermuda later today, causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center