Hurricane Melissa, intensified by climate change, wreaked havoc on Caribbean islands, with Jamaica experiencing Category 5 winds and increased rainfall, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate issues.
- Researchers from World Weather Attribution reported that Hurricane Melissa exhibited 7 percent stronger wind speeds due to climate change, significantly impacting Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.
- The storm also produced 16 percent more intense rainfall within its eyewall, exacerbating conditions in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where landslides became a major concern.
- As a Category 5 tropical cyclone, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, illustrating the growing threat posed by rising temperatures and humidity in the Caribbean due to climate change.
Why It Matters
This event highlights how climate change is amplifying the severity of tropical cyclones like Hurricane Melissa, threatening vulnerable communities in the Caribbean and necessitating urgent global action on environmental issues.