What was the wind speed of Hurricane Melissa?

Hurricane Melissa had sustained winds of 185 mph at landfall in Jamaica, tying several historic Atlantic hurricane records.

How much damage did Hurricane Melissa cause?

Hurricane Melissa caused at least 75 deaths and over $4 billion in insured losses across the Caribbean.

What are researchers proposing in response to Hurricane Melissa?

Researchers are proposing adding a new "Category 6" tier to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to better communicate the risk of increasingly intense hurricanes like Melissa.

Home / Weather / Melissa's 185 mph Winds Tie Historic Records, Fueling Calls for New Storm Category

Melissa's 185 mph Winds Tie Historic Records, Fueling Calls for New Storm Category

17 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Hurricane Melissa caused at least 75 deaths and over $4 billion in insured losses
Melissa's sustained winds of 185 mph tied several historic Atlantic hurricane records
Researchers propose adding a "Category 6" to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Melissa's 185 mph Winds Tie Historic Records, Fueling Calls for New Storm Category

As of November 17th, 2025, the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa continues to be assessed, with one clear takeaway: the storm's intensity confirms a troubling scientific trend years in the making. Melissa's sustained winds of 185 mph at landfall in Jamaica tied several historic Atlantic hurricane records, including Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Hurricane Wilma in 2005, and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane.