Ocean Warming Likely Powers Hurricane Melissa's Swift Intensification

Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified to a category 4 storm, likely fueled by climate change and ocean warming, posing a significant threat to Jamaica.

• On Sunday, Hurricane Melissa escalated from a tropical cyclone to a category 4 hurricane with wind speed reaching 140 mph, marking one of the fastest intensifications in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Meteorologists noted that Melissas rapid intensification, increasing from 70 mph to 140 mph in just 24 hours, reflects concerning trends linked to climate change impacting Atlantic hurricane patterns.
• The Saffir–Simpson scale categorization of Melissa emphasizes the storms strength and potential danger as it approaches Jamaica, raising alarms for possible severe impacts on the island.