Hurricane Melissas 252-mph Gust Sets New Wind Record

Published: Friday, November 21, 2025 at 6:25 pm

Hurricane Melissa Shatters Wind Gust Records in Atlantic

A recent analysis of Hurricane Melissa has revealed a new record for wind gusts in the Atlantic Ocean, solidifying its place among the most powerful storms ever recorded. Scientists have confirmed that Melissa produced a wind gust of 252 mph, just shy of the all-time global record of 253 mph. This gust surpasses the previous record for a tropical cyclone at sea by 4 mph.

The data was collected using a dropsonde, an instrument deployed from a Hurricane Hunter aircraft, which measures wind speeds and other atmospheric data. The measurements were rigorously verified by atmospheric scientists to ensure accuracy, ruling out any instrument errors.

While the wind gust record is impressive, it's important to distinguish it from sustained wind speeds, which determine a storm's ranking on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Hurricane Melissa's sustained wind speeds reached 185 mph, just below the Atlantic Ocean record. The storm's intensity was fueled by its slow movement over warm ocean waters.

Hurricane Melissa also achieved other notable milestones. It tied for the third strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic based on its minimum central pressure and tied for second place in the Atlantic for sustained wind speeds. The storm caused significant devastation, including being the strongest storm to ever make landfall in Jamaica and causing the second-highest recorded rainfall in the nation since 2000.

BNN's Perspective: The findings regarding Hurricane Melissa underscore the increasing intensity of extreme weather events. While the focus on record-breaking wind gusts is important, it is crucial to remember the human impact of these storms. The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa highlights the need for continued investment in disaster preparedness, climate change mitigation, and support for communities affected by these increasingly powerful events.

Keywords: Hurricane Melissa, wind gust, record, Atlantic Ocean, tropical cyclone, sustained winds, dropsonde, Saffir-Simpson scale, climate change, extreme weather.

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