BWS: Hurricane Melissa Is A ‘Threat’
[Updated] Hurricane Melissa is “a potential threat to Bermuda”, the Bermuda Weather Service said, with its nearest point to Bermuda currently forecast to be 283 nm to the SW at 6pm on Thursday [Oct 30] with the BWS noting that “this forecast is subject to change with the next update.”
Graphic courtesy of the BWS:
The latest forecast from the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, “At 500 PM EDT [2100 UTC], the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 78.4 West. Melissa is now moving toward the northwest near 3 mph [6 km/h]. A slow turn toward the north is expected this evening, followed by a turn toward the northeast and a slightly faster forward speed on Tuesday. A northeastward motion with a faster forward speed is expected on Wednesday and Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica late tonight and Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern or central Bahamas on Wednesday.
Graphic courtesy of the NHC:
“Maximum sustained winds are near 175 mph [280 km/h] with higher gusts. Melissa is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica. However, Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as an extremely powerful major hurricane, and will still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas.
“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles [45 km] from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles [315 km]. NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft are scheduled to investigate Melissa in a few hours. The estimated minimum central pressure is 906 mb [26.76 inches].”
Update 7.25pm: A Government spokesperson said, “As of the 6.00 pm Bermuda Weather Service [BWS] forecast, Hurricane Melissa is considered a potential threat to the island. This evening’s forecast which can be seen at www.weather.bm, has Melissa’s closest point of approach at 6.00 pm Thursday evening, passing the island as a category 1 hurricane.
“And the Ministry of National Security advised that the Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO] will meet tomorrow afternoon to assess Hurricane Melissa’s current progress as it tracks through the Caribbean.
“Following tomorrow’s EMO meeting, a public advisory will be issued. The Ministry reminds the community that Bermuda continues to navigate a very busy Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through November 30.”
This evening the Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said, “We are continuing to monitor Hurricane Melissa closely, and I want to assure residents that our agencies are staying ahead of developments.
“This is the time to remain alert and pay close attention to official updates. We must never allow familiarity with hurricane season to lead to complacency.”
The Minister added, “I also want to take a moment to echo the concern and solidarity expressed by Premier David Burt. Our thoughts are with the people of Jamaica as they brace for a direct impact from this powerful storm.
“Many in our community have significantly close ties to Jamaica, and we stand with them as the island faces this dangerous situation.”
A Government spokesperson added, “Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and to take sensible steps now to review household preparedness plans. Please continue to follow the updates from the Bermuda Weather Service, and the EMO for the latest public saftey information on Hurricane Melissa.”
Update Oct 28: The BWS has now said that it is a ‘threat’ to Bermuda….and within the next 72 hours, the nearest forecasted point to Bermuda is 31 nm to the W at 3am on Fri, Oct 31, 2025.
If anyone takes the trouble to look on the National Hurricane Center website the hurricane should be a shadow of itself by the time it races past our area Friday morning as a weakish Cat 2 hurricane with winds gusting 90mph.
Depending of which side it passes by hurricane force winds will only be extending out a maximum of 50 miles from center. Still a long way out to be judging it and no need to be running out buying plywood, batteries and rum just yet.
you mean weak cat 1? It says cat 1 on the graph above.
Come on nahhh you gotta have de rum !!Lol