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Hurricane Melissa Sets Record Winds, Devastates Caribbean

11/20/2025

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Hurricane Melissa recorded a peak wind gust of 252 mph on October 28, 2025, the highest ever measured by dropsondes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunter aircraft deployed dropsondes to measure wind, pressure, and humidity.
Researchers confirmed the gust surpassed the 248 mph record set by Typhoon Megi in 2010, and Melissa caused at least 90 fatalities and $8.8 billion in damages in the Caribbean.

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Story summary

Hurricane Melissa recorded a peak wind gust of 252 mph on October 28, 2025, the highest ever measured by dropsondes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunter aircraft deployed dropsondes to measure wind, pressure, and humidity.
Researchers confirmed the gust surpassed the 248 mph record set by Typhoon Megi in 2010, and Melissa caused at least 90 fatalities and $8.8 billion in damages in the Caribbean.