Hurricane Melissa tracker with live satellite: where the storm is now, latest winds, and who’s next
Hurricane Melissa remains a dangerous, life-threatening system after tearing across Jamaica and turning northeast. Fresh satellite loops this morning show a well-defined eye and intense inner-core convection as the hurricane targets eastern Cuba and then accelerates toward the Bahamas. For readers following a “hurricane Melissa tracker live satellite,” here’s the latest snapshot, the forward timeline, and how to interpret what you’re seeing on the maps.
Hurricane Melissa live tracker update
Melissa is currently a major hurricane moving northeast at a modest clip, with maximum sustained winds in the 120–135 mph range and a central pressure that rose notably after Jamaica but has stabilized as the core reorganizes over very warm waters. The wind field has grown since Tuesday, meaning damaging gusts now extend farther from the eye even as the peak intensity is a notch lower than the record highs observed before landfall in Jamaica.
Key hazards today:
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Extreme winds near and east of the center over eastern Cuba.
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Life-threatening storm surge on onshore-facing coasts of Cuba, the southeastern and central Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos.
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Widespread 6–12 inches of rainfall with locally higher totals on windward terrain, triggering flash floods and landslides.
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Dangerous marine conditions well away from the core due to long-period swells.
Power outages, blocked roads, and communication gaps persist in parts of Jamaica; recovery there is underway even as outer rainbands still sweep the island.
Live satellite: how to read Melissa’s signature
When you open a live satellite tracker, toggle these layers and features to get a true sense of risk near you:
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Infrared (IR) brightness temperatures: Very cold cloud tops (white/bright pink on many palettes) signal intense updrafts. A symmetric cold ring around a warm eye suggests a consolidating or strengthening core.
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Visible imagery (daytime): Look for a clear eye and tightly wrapped spiral bands. The narrower and more circular the eyewall, the stronger the wind potential.
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Water vapor: Dry slots intruding into the core can disrupt intensification; a moist, continuous envelope favors maintenance of strength.
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Surface wind and pressure overlays: These help translate satellite appearance into estimated peak winds and the size of the gale-force footprint.
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Radar (where available): Eyewall replacement cycles show up as concentric rings; intensity can fluctuate during these cycles but the wind field often expands.
If you see the eye sharpening and the cold cloud ring tightening as Melissa approaches a coastline, expect a window of renewed strengthening. Conversely, interaction with rugged terrain over Cuba should eventually disrupt the inner core and introduce gradual weakening—though dangerous winds can still persist.
Track forecast and timing
The large-scale pattern features a trough over the southeastern United States and a subtropical ridge over the central Atlantic. That steering setup is pulling Melissa northeastward and increasing forward speed through midweek.
Projected sequence (subject to change):
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Today (Wed, Oct 29): Core over or skirting eastern Cuba; hurricane-force winds and destructive surge possible on exposed coasts.
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Tonight–Thu: Passage across the southeastern and central Bahamas with hurricane conditions spreading outward; tropical-storm impacts likely in the Turks and Caicos.
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Thu night–Fri: Track near or just west of Bermuda, with a period of strong winds and heavy rain possible depending on exact path.
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Late week: Acceleration into the open Atlantic with a gradual transition toward a post-tropical cyclone as it crosses cooler waters; large swells and coastal erosion may reach parts of the western Atlantic seaboard.
Who is in the highest risk zone next
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Eastern Cuba: Immediate threat window with severe wind damage, inundation of low-lying neighborhoods, and dangerous mountain runoff.
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Southeast & Central Bahamas: Complete preparations now; exposure to storm surge, extreme gusts in the eyewall, and prolonged power disruptions.
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Turks & Caicos: Risk of significant coastal flooding and rip currents even if the core passes to the north.
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Bermuda (watch area): Close monitoring required; modest track shifts can swing impacts from tropical-storm to hurricane strength.
Practical mapping tips for a better “live” view
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Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour satellite animations to catch structural trends versus moment-to-moment wobble.
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Overlay model consensus tracks rather than relying on a single line; look for the envelope (cone) that captures uncertainty.
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Use distance-measuring tools on the map to estimate how many miles your location is from the eye and from the radius of hurricane-force winds.
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If you’re on an island chain, zoom to storm-surge basemaps to identify inlets, bays, and south- or east-facing shores that can funnel water.
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Cross-check the time zone displayed in the tracker (UTC vs. local) before planning actions around arrival times.
Preparedness and safety notes
Even outside the core, Melissa’s outer bands can spawn sudden squalls and dangerous seas. If you’re in an area with watches or warnings:
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Evacuate if local officials direct you to do so.
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Stay well away from the shoreline during surge; small changes in track can dramatically raise water levels.
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After the center passes, avoid floodwaters and downed lines, run generators outside only, and document damage for claims when safe.
the Hurricane Melissa tracker
The “hurricane Melissa tracker live satellite” shows a reorganizing, still-powerful hurricane moving away from Jamaica toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas today, with hazardous conditions expanding outward as the wind field grows. Expect periods of fluctuation in intensity tied to land interaction and eyewall cycles, but treat the next 24–48 hours as high risk across the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. Keep your live tracker open, refresh frequently, and act on local emergency guidance without delay.