Tropical Storm Melissa intensifies, Jamaica on watch

Published on Oct 23, 2025, 10:57 am CDTUpdated on Oct 23, 2025, 10:59 am CDT

3 min read

Key points

Jamaica under hurricane watch, tropical storm warnings
NHC signals intensification through the weekend
Early cruise itinerary changes reported
No major U.S. airline waivers posted yet

Impact

What Changed: Jamaica upgraded to a hurricane watch while tropical storm warnings remain as Melissa strengthens.
Why It Matters: Heavier rain bands and gusts raise flood and landslide risks; cruise calls and flights may adjust.
Dates: Greatest risk October 23-26, 2025, with on-and-off squalls around Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.
What To Do: Reconfirm flights and port calls, watch NHC advisories, and check airline waiver pages before changing plans.

Tropical Storm Melissa is creeping northwest across the Caribbean on October 23, 2025, and forecasters expect strengthening into the weekend. Jamaica is now under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning, with heavy rain bands already brushing eastern parishes. Travelers should plan for intermittent port precautions, modified cruise calls, and short ground holds at Jamaica's two main airports as squalls pass.

Jamaica advisories and operations

The National Hurricane Center's morning advisory placed Melissa roughly 215 miles southeast of Kingston with 50 mph winds and slow northwest motion. The update highlights a hurricane watch for Jamaica and warns of life-threatening flooding in parts of Jamaica and Hispaniola through the weekend.

Local agencies have moved to protect infrastructure. The Port Authority of Jamaica says port teams are working to maintain continuity while safeguarding facilities as conditions deteriorate. Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone zones to be ready to move, and shelters are being prepared ahead of the heaviest rain.

Cruise itineraries are already shifting. Margaritaville at Sea Islander adjusted its current itinerary to avoid Melissa, and additional changes are possible if seas build near Jamaica into the weekend.

Latest developments

Forecast guidance points to a conducive environment for intensification over very warm Caribbean waters, with several outlets signaling the potential for a major hurricane by late weekend. Even if the core skirts the island, prolonged bands could trigger flash floods and landslides.

Air operations at Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston remain open, but brief ramp closures and visibility-based delays are possible during the strongest squalls. No blanket airport closures were announced as of this morning. For a day-of look at North American traffic programs, see Flight Delays and Airport Impacts: October 23, 2025.

Major U.S. carriers had not posted Jamaica-specific weather waivers at press time; American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, and Delta advisory pages showed no event-specific waivers for Jamaica. Check again before you change plans, as carriers often publish waivers when tracks tighten.

Analysis

Expect an on-and-off operational pattern, especially October 24-26, as rain bands pivot across Jamaica. That often yields short ground stops, ramp wind holds, and flow programs rather than all-day shutdowns, but knock-on delays and missed connections are still possible. Build wider buffers for connections, reconfirm transfers and independently booked tours, and monitor shipboard apps or emails for any revised boarding times or port swaps.

A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within about 48 hours, and a tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within about 36 hours. Plan on poor road conditions in known flood zones, and avoid hillside routes during peak bands.

Final thoughts

Melissa's slow crawl raises flood and landslide risks in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola while giving operators time to fine-tune plans. Keep itineraries flexible, watch for airline waivers, and track official updates as Tropical Storm Melissa intensifies into the weekend.