Hurricane Melissa has made history by tying the all-time record for the strongest wind speeds in the Atlantic Basin. According to a recent report from the National Hurricane Center, Melissa reached maximum sustained winds of 190 mph, matching the legendary Hurricane Allen from 1980 for the highest recorded sustained winds in any Atlantic hurricane.
The report, which details Melissa’s impact from October 21 to 31, 2025, highlights the rigorous post-season evaluations that led to a slight increase in the storm’s peak wind speeds. This reexamination utilized data collected from Hurricane Hunter missions and satellite observations.
In addition to tying for the strongest sustained winds, Hurricane Melissa also matched the record for the highest wind speed at landfall, clocking in at 185 mph. This places Melissa alongside the 2019 Hurricane Dorian and the 1935 Labor Day hurricane as one of the most powerful storms to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin.
The hurricane also achieved significant pressure figures, tying for the third lowest atmospheric pressure ever recorded in the Atlantic at 892 millibars, trailing only 1988’s Hurricane Gilbert and 2005’s Hurricane Wilma.
Among the noteworthy findings from the report, a dropsonde, an instrument used during Hurricane Hunter missions, recorded a staggering peak gust of 252 mph just above the surface during Melissa. This gust sets a new record, surpassing the previous high of 240 mph recorded during 2010’s Super Typhoon Megi.
In terms of impacts, Jamaica reported the highest wind gust at 114 mph at the Hope Primary School before the sensor failed due to the intensity of the storm. The hurricane generated 600 lightning flashes per 30 minutes in its eyewall as it approached land, marking a remarkably active period for lightning activity.
Rainfall totals were also significant, with Camp Perrin, Haiti measuring the highest at 36.77 inches, while Jamaica recorded a peak of 32.17 inches in Knockpatrick. The storm surge in southwestern Jamaica was estimated to have reached between 7 and 11 feet above normally dry ground.
Tragically, Hurricane Melissa resulted in the loss of at least 95 lives, with 45 fatalities in Jamaica and 43 in Haiti.
As the Atlantic continues to be impacted by increasingly intense storms, the records set by Hurricane Melissa serve as both a reminder of nature’s power and the importance of preparedness in the face of extreme weather events. The meteorological community remains vigilant in studying these trends to better understand and predict future storms.