The hurricane Melissa continues to strengthen its structure over the central Caribbean with maximum sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Its movement to the west keeps the eastern part of Cuba under active watch, where the effects of the system are expected to start being felt from Tuesday night or early Wednesday.
The Cuban meteorologist Rubén Capote, head of Meteorology at Telemundo 49, explained in an analysis published on TikTok that the cyclone maintains a consistent trajectory and a compact structure, with a radius of hurricane-force winds extending about 25 miles and tropical storm-force winds extending up to 175 miles from its center.
This amplitude puts areas of the western Caribbean, including Jamaica and eastern Cuba, at risk of intense bursts.
"By early Tuesday morning, the periphery of those storm-force winds would be tangential to the southern coast of eastern Cuba," Capote explained, noting that Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and even parts of Las Tunas could experience sustained gusts and intermittent rain throughout much of Tuesday and Wednesday.
The specialist emphasized that the winds of 140 miles per hour reported by the NHC are “effective very close to the center of the tropical cyclone and generally potential,” meaning that they are not recorded uniformly across the affected area.
However, he recommended caution, especially due to the increase in swells and the arrival of rain bands that could bring significant rainfall.
According to the latest updates, the eye of the hurricane does not yet have a path that ensures where the direct impact on Cuban land will begin, but the eastern part of the island is under active watch due to winds, heavy rains, and high waves that could be felt starting Tuesday night.
Satellite images show a well-defined eye and deep convection, signs of a powerful system that could reach category 5 as it approaches the eastern Bahamas.
The Institute of Meteorology of Cuba (INSMET) warned about strong swell along the coasts of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo, as well as heavy rainfall associated with the outer bands of the system.
Although the wind influence is expected to gradually decrease starting Wednesday, the wave conditions will remain dangerous for the rest of the week due to the wind direction being "almost perpendicular to the southeastern coast", Capote specified.
The meteorologist concluded his message with a clear warning: “Take care, we’re keeping an eye on the weather,” reminding everyone that the situation could change in the coming hours if Melissa alters its path or intensifies.
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