Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Melissa to affect Jamaica and southern Haiti in October 2025, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if these countries are in your travel plans over the next few days.
Tropical Storm Melissa to Affect Jamaica and Southern Haiti: October 2025 Travel Alert
Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Melissa — which is currently approximately 220 miles southeast of Kingston in Jamaica and moving east southeast at a speed of two miles per hour — are at 60 miles per hour, which means that it is a strong tropical storm. Landfall may occur somewhere along the coast of southwestern Jamaica as soon as the morning of Tuesday, October 28, 2025. This tropical storm is strengthening to hurricane strength and is expected to eventually become a major hurricane prior to its aforementioned first landfall in Jamaica.
Because of its very slow forward movement, Tropical Storm Melissa will inundate the southern coasts of Jamaica and Haiti with both torrential rain and a storm surge. Windy conditions — especially on the east side of the storm — will only further exacerbate the situation.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- Jamaica
- The southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border it shares with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Jamaica
- The southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border it shares with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince
Substantial precipitation of up to 20 inches is possible across portions of southwestern Haiti and eastern Jamaica, which is expected to result in potentially catastrophic urban flooding and flash flooding that can threaten lives.
Rough surf and strong rip currents are currently affecting much of the coasts of Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Cuba. A dangerous storm surge of possibly as high as three feet above normal is expected to contribute to the aforementioned significant flooding with potentially destructive large waves.
Expect windy conditions to occur over much of Jamaica and Haiti. An isolated tornado is possible in these areas.
After landfall in Jamaica, the storm is expected to head north northeast towards the southeastern coast of Cuba, where a second landfall is expected as soon as early in the morning on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The Bahamas will likely be next after the storm crosses over Cuba.
Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations
If you are traveling to or from Jamaica or Haiti over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are seven airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Ocho Rios, Kingston, and Montego Bay for Saturday, October 25, 2025 through Monday, October 27, 2025; and Thursday, October 30, 2025 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Montego Bay for Saturday, October 25, 2025 through Monday, October 27, 2025; and Monday, November 3, 2025 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for Kingston and Montego Bay for Saturday, October 25, 2025 through Sunday, October 26, 2025; and Friday, October 31, 2025 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for Kingston and Montego Bay for Thursday, October 23, 2025 through Monday, October 27, 2025.
- Spirit Airlines has issued travel alerts for Kingston and Montego Bay for Friday, October 24, 2025 through Monday, October 27, 2025; and Monday, November 3, 2025 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Caribbean Airlines has issued travel alerts for Kingston and Montego Bay for Friday, October 24, 2025; and Thursday, November 20, 2025 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for:
- Kingston for Friday, October 24, 2025.
- Montego Bay for Friday, October 24, 2025 through Monday, October 27, 2025.
Final Boarding Call
I wanted to check the radar for more visual details on Tropical Storm Melissa…
…but the federal government of the United States is currently shut down and closed. Oh, well…
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
