Tropical Storm Melissa Threatens the Caribbean: What Will Be the Impact?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Tropical Storm Melissa officially formed in the central Caribbean Sea in October 2025, marking the 13th named storm of this year's Atlantic hurricane season.

Warnings have been issued for residents of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Cuba to prepare for damaging winds and the risk of dangerous flooding.

Tropical Storm Melissa's development has become a major focus of concern for weather authorities and local residents.

Although it is not expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico, the storm's projected path indicates the possibility of significant impacts.

The heavy rains it brings have the potential to trigger flash floods and landslides, especially in vulnerable areas like Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Tropical Storm Melissa has formed and prompted new alerts in the Caribbean. Here's what could happen over the next few days: pic.twitter.com/D1y1P5jeox

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 21, 2025

On October 21-22, 2025, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was observed approximately 300 to 325 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The storm was moving westward at approximately 13 to 14 miles per hour, as reported by Gulf Coast News.

Recent data indicates that Melissa remains an asymmetrical storm, with most of its strong winds concentrated in the northeastern and eastern portions of its circulation.

Maximum sustained winds currently recorded are approaching 50 miles per hour (about 80 km/h).

Tropical storm-force winds, exceeding 39 mph, extend 115-140 miles from the center of the storm.

Melissa's minimum central pressure is estimated at 1003 millibars, equivalent to 29.62 inches.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to slow down and gradually turn northwest and north over the next few days.

Based on the forecast track, Melissa will likely approach southwestern Haiti and Jamaica later this week.

Various models indicate different possible paths, including passing over Haiti, Cuba, or moving between the two islands.

While most models predict Melissa will remain a tropical storm through the weekend, the possibility of strengthening to a Category 1 hurricane cannot be ruled out.

Gradual strengthening is expected over the next few days, as the storm passes over warmer-than-usual Caribbean waters.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to bring significant heavy rainfall.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic could receive between 5 and 10 inches (approximately 127-254 mm) of rain through Friday.

This amount of rainfall has the potential to trigger dangerous flash floods and landslides, especially in areas with fragile topography.

Meanwhile, Jamaica and Puerto Rico are also expected to receive between 1 and 3 inches (approximately 25-76 mm) of rain through Friday.

To anticipate these impacts, a Hurricane Watch has been issued for Haiti's southern peninsula, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince.

Hurricane conditions are possible in this area starting Thursday, October 23.

Tropical storm conditions could begin in Jamaica on Thursday or Friday.

Additionally, islands such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are also potentially affected by this storm system.

Sources:

https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/tropical-storm-melissa-hurricane-tracker/69108658

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/21/weather/tropical-storm-melissa-hurricane

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/10/21/hurricane-melissa-tracker-map/