Recent satellite imagery has unveiled the formation of mesovortices around Hurricane Melissa, a powerful storm currently wreaking havoc across the Caribbean. Captured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on October 28, this footage illustrates the hurricane”s intense rotation as it moves through the region.
According to NOAA, mesovortices are defined as “small-scale rotational features” that develop around the eye of a hurricane, typically under conditions marked by significant differences in wind speed and direction. The GOES-19 satellite provided crucial images that highlight these features, which can intensify the storm”s impact.
Hurricane Melissa has been classified as one of the most potent hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic, attributed in part to the influence of climate change on the frequency and strength of extreme weather events. On October 28, it made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, exhibiting maximum winds of 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour).
Desmond McKenzie, deputy chair of Jamaica”s disaster risk management council, has refrained from providing specific casualty figures, but reports indicate at least four fatalities in southwest Jamaica. The island is facing substantial infrastructure challenges, with approximately 72% of residents without power and 65% of mobile phone service disrupted.
In neighboring Haiti, the situation is dire, with at least 25 reported deaths and 18 individuals unaccounted for due to severe flooding. Meanwhile, Cuba experienced a weaker impact from Melissa, classified as a Category 3 storm on October 29, yet many communities remain without electricity, internet, and phone services due to damaged infrastructure.
As of the morning of October 30, Hurricane Melissa had downgraded to a Category 2 storm, with sustained winds approaching 105 miles per hour (169 kilometers per hour). The storm was located approximately 515 miles (830 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda, which is currently under a hurricane warning.
