University of Illinois scientists explain why Hurricane Melissa will be one for the recordbooks
The church of Lacovia Tombstone, Jamaica, sits damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Oct. 29, 2025. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
An analysis from World Weather Attribution reports human-caused climate change intensified the winds and rainfall unleashed by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean. Melissa, one of the strongest to hit the Atlantic, caused destruction in Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Cuba. Dozens of fatalities have been recorded, homes and public infrastructure were damaged and crops were ruined. The analysis reports climate change increased Melissa’s wind speeds by 7% and made the rainfall 16% more intense. Planet-warming gases released by humans, such as carbon dioxide, cause the atmosphere to hold more water vapor and spike ocean temperatures. Warmer oceans give hurricanes fuel to unleash more rain and strengthen quickly. - Associated Press
Steve Nesbitt, Jeff Frame and Deanna Hence, professors of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discussed Hurricane Melissa and the aftermath.
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