Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 1 storm and is forecast to rapidly strengthen into a major hurricane over the weekend, posing a severe and multi-day threat of life-threatening flash flooding,

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast to occur over the next couple of days and Melissa is forecast to become a major hurricane by Sunday.

Forecasters warned of rapid intensification, with Melissa expected to reach hurricane strength later today and potentially major hurricane status by Sunday. The storm’s projected path shows Jamaica directly in its core wind field, with tropical-storm-force winds already extending up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center.

Article last updated: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, 2 p.m. ET

Tropical Storm Melissa has begun dumping rain on Hispaniola as forecasters warned of a flood risk in parts of the Caribbean region this week.