Hurricane Melissa: A Storm Fueled by Climate Change

Mon Nov 10 2025 21:57:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent analysis reveals that human-caused climate change intensifies hurricane storms like Melissa, contributing to increased winds, rain, and destruction across the Caribbean. This study highlights the urgent need to address climate issues.

An analysis by World Weather Attribution shows that climate change has notably intensified Hurricane Melissa. The study found a 7% increase in maximum wind speeds and a 16% increase in rainfall intensity due to climate change. The storm, which affected Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, demonstrated how warmer ocean temperatures can enhance the destructive capacity of hurricanes, linking the rapid intensification of such storms to human activity. This data emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change to mitigate future hurricane damage.

Human-induced climate change has significantly amplified the destructive forces of Hurricane Melissa, leading to more intense winds and rainfall, according to a study published by World Weather Attribution.

The storm wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, particularly impacting areas like Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, resulting in numerous fatalities, destroyed homes, and disrupted infrastructure.

This rapid analysis indicates that climate change has increased the hurricane's wind speed by 7% and intensified rain by 16%. Furthermore, it revealed that the temperature and humidity levels conducive to the storm's development were six times more probable in today's climate compared to pre-industrial times.

“Warmer ocean temperatures provide the energy necessary for hurricanes, leading to stronger storms,” explained Theodore Keeping, a climate scientist associated with WWA. With ocean temperatures in Melissa's path approximately 1.4°C (2.5°F) higher than historical averages, the hurricane demonstrated rapid intensification, a process where storms experience a significant increase in maximum wind speed in a short time.

Keeping warned that without climate change, the wind speeds could have been about 10 mph (16 kph) less, potentially lessening the storm's destruction. As climate change accelerates ocean warming, it enhances hurricane power, making the consequences more dire.

Experts agree that as global temperatures rise, hurricane intensity and the associated risks will also increase. The findings serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to combat climate change, a primary driver of increasingly severe weather patterns.

This research underscores the importance of rapid attribution analyses, which deliver vital insights into how the climate crisis is influencing extreme weather events as they unfold. Understanding these connections is crucial for improving disaster preparedness and response strategies worldwide.