Hurricane Melissa: Rapid Intensification Explained
Hurricane Melissa has become the third Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 2025, with all three storms intensifying rapidly within days.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Melissa developed into a hurricane on October 25, became a Category 4 hurricane by October 26, and strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane by October 27, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.
This phenomenon is known as rapid intensification, where a storm surges in strength in a short period. The National Hurricane Center's data shows that this is becoming the new normal for Atlantic hurricanes.
Other examples of rapid intensification include Hurricane Erin, which formed on August 15 and became a Category 5 hurricane the next day, and Hurricane Gabrielle, which spun up from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in just 12 hours in September.
This year's hurricanes have shown a trend of rapid intensification, with storms strengthening quickly in a short period.
The National Hurricane Center forecasters predict that Hurricane Melissa may continue to intensify, making it one of the strongest storms to directly hit Jamaica in recent history.
Author's summary: Hurricane Melissa intensifies to Category 5.