HURRICANE MELISSA TIES RECORD FOR STRONGEST LANDFALL EVER OBSERVED IN BASIN… Hurricane Melissa has tied the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane as the strongest landfall observed in recorded history in the Atlantic Basin, which encompasses the Gulf, Caribbean, and Atlantic. The Hurricane Hunter aircraft crew used a dropsonde to identify a 892 millibar minimum central pressure. This makes Melissa the third strongest hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic Basin (behind Wilma in 2005 and Gilbert in 1988). Those two storms did not make landfall at peak intensity. Melissa, however, has slammed into western Jamaica at peak intensity. Maximum winds are near 185 mph, making Melissa a high-end, category 5 hurricane at landfall. The Saffir-Simpson Scale maxes out at cat. 5 intensity. There are no category 6 or category 7 storms.
CATASTROPHIC IMPACTS EXPECTED IN JAMAICA… Damage in Jamaica, particularly in the western part of the island, is expected to be catastrophic. The core of Hurricane Melissa will continue moving north over the next several hours. Major hurricane conditions are expected across Jamaica through this evening. Eastern Cuba will have major hurricane impacts starting tonight and extending into Wednesday. The Turks & Caicos islands are expected to have impacts due to Melissa later this week. Bermuda may also have impacts due to Melissa as the storm rapidly moves across the Atlantic into the weekend.
HURRICANE HUNTER CREW EVACUATES OUT OF MELISSA… The USAF Hurricane Hunter crew released this statement a short time ago: “A 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron crew (call sign TEAL75), known as the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, is returning to its forward operating location in Curacao after encountering heavy turbulence today while entering the eye of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm. During the event, the aircraft briefly experienced forces stronger than normal due to turbulence. While this does not automatically indicate damage, standard safety procedures require an inspection before returning to operations. The 53rd WRS is an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.”
APP… If you haven’t already downloaded the RedZone Weather app, now is a great time to do that. redzoneweather.com/app is the link to the free download. Once you have the RZW app installed on your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab to turn on the specific notifications you’d like to receive. All notifications are handcrafted by me. No automation and we promise not to bug you!
I will have more updates posted throughout the day in the RedZone Weather app. Join me in praying for the folks in Jamaica!
