Major Hurricane Melissa makes a historic landfall near New Hope, Jamaica.

One factor that supported Melissa reaching this record: an Argo float southeast of Jamaica shows a dramatic decrease in upper-level ocean temperature before (18 Oct) and after (28 Oct) the storm. My heart goes out to the folks in Jamaica facing this powerful hurricane's numerous hazards today. 💔

Echoing colleagues: Think before you (re)post. #Melissa is about to impact a relatively poor part of Jamaica. I doubt we will know the true extent of the devastation for days or weeks. Information vacuums fill with disinformation. Expect a lot of “breaking wind” on SM. Map source: World Bank

Y'all - this is literally insane. I am pretty sure that I have never seen automated satellite intensity estimates this high on an Atlantic hurricane. Dvorak T-numbers approaching 8.5 are almost always with west Pac supertyphoons. Graphic from UW-CIMSS.

The western end of Jamaica where #Melissa is projected to make landfall has the least well-built structures of anyplace on the island. Graphic is from a 2021 paper, "Poverty and hurricane risk exposure in Jamaica": www.researchgate.net/publication/...

#Melissa, an extremely powerful and intense hurricane, has made it into the upper echelon of Atlantic hurricanes in the modern aircraft reconnaissance era, based on maximum flight level winds. At 161 kt, it is currently tied at #14 with Ivan (2004), Dorian (2019), and Milton (2024).

From a crewmember on yesterday's Teal 74 mission into now-Category 5 Hurricane #Melissa. As clear of an eye as you will see in the Atlantic basin.

The monster eye at the center of a still strengthening Hurricane Melissa.

Jamaica has low storm surge risk—not a lot of low-lying areas. An exception: Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport (built on fill), Soapberry Wastewater Treatment Plant, Portmore Mall, Jamworld Entertainment Center, the National Gallery, Petrojam Refinery, Caribbean Maritime University.

Just got my #novavax booster here in TN, thanks to @publixofficial.bsky.social Pharmacy. Had discussed with my doctor and got an Rx, but wasn't needed. Have asthma and that was enough. Called ahead to confirm availability and they had 1 dose left! nuvaxovid.com/vaccine-loca...

If we had crossed paths with a serial child abuser, we simply would not have hand-drawn him a naked woman or given him a birthday card. This does not seem difficult. The Epstein files must be released, and Trump must be impeached. He is unfit.

As a #MarshallFire survivor, I'm very glad to see that #BoulderCounty is upgrading their sirens and expanding their use to a variety of hazards, including wildfires. Sirens are particularly helpful for people who are outdoors, like my wife and son were the day of the fire.

“This is not about one official. It is about the systematic dismantling of public health institutions, the silencing of experts, and the dangerous politicization of science.” ~US Senator Patty Murray. Dr. Monarez is standing up for science. Demand that Kennedy be fired. www.cnn.com/2025/08/27/h...

NWS Morristown has issued a #SevereThunderstormWarning for southwestern Hamilton County and parts of Marion county including #Chattanooga and other areas. Torrential rainfall and flooding is also possible. #TNwx forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...

Heads up #Chattanooga and folks in the N AL/SE TN/N GA areas -- isolated to scattered flash flooding is possible this afternoon and evening. For meteorological details, see: wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/metwatch/met... #TNwx

Thankfully the latest round of storms has not been as heavy as yesterday's downpours. The rain at CHA began at around 12:25 PM yesterday. With the latest addition from today's rain, the airport appears to have reached an unholy 24-hour rainfall total of 6.66". Subject to change. #Chattanooga #TNwx

NWS Morristown just issued a Flash Flood Warning for southern Hamilton County, including Chattanooga, Collegedale, East Ridge, southern Bradley County, and Marion County. Up to 1" of new rain has already fallen and another 0.5-2" are possible. forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

As of 10:00 PM EDT traffic flowing again on I-24 east and west, just west of the 24/75 junction. Large amounts of backed up traffic in all directions approaching the area before traffic can move at speed again. Updates tonight on @WDEFNews12.

A quick thread on today's extreme rainfall event in #Chattanooga. Lovell Field Airport (CHA) just experienced 6.20" of rain in a 6-hour period. weather.gov/wrh/timeseri... 1/

WPC issued as many as six MPDs for the deadly flash flooding in the TX Hill Country starting yesterday evening and lasting through much of today. The first MPD generally set the stage for what was to come, while the next three shown were as the event unfolded.

The Administration's proposed FY26 budget terminates NOAA's weather research programs and cooperative institutes, transferring just a handful of functions to NWS. This would eviscerate nearly all of NOAA's weather research infrastructure & expertise. balancedweather.substack.com/p/balancedwx... 1/

These images sum up where the U.S. is currently at. Our Constitution, people, and liberties are under threat. Called my TN Senators today and urged them to vote NO on this ugly, nasty bill that would cut vital services, science, and infrastructure investment. #NoKings

Two minutes worth of Republicans JD Vance, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham, Jim Jordan, and John Thune criticizing the use of the IRS to punish organizations for their politics:

HAPPY TAX DAY! How much would you spend on a year of tornado warnings? The average US taxpayer spends only $4 a year to help fund the NWS. It’s a smart investment—every $1 invested in NWS yields approx. $73 in social benefits. 🌪️❄️ Support science. Support the NWS. Stay tuned for more this #TaxDay

Love to see it: 9 leading research universities & 3 university associations sue the Energy Department over its "flagrantly unlawful action" on April 11 "slashing “indirect cost rates” for government-funded research. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Due process matters more than we think. Let's send a message loud and clear to the Trump Administration: - Follow the law - Obey court orders - Stop deporting permanent residents to foreign concentration camps - Bring #KilmarAbregoGarcia home!

We are on the brink of a Constitutional crisis. If people realized what could happen, the market would be tanking. If the rule of law is gone, there's no point in investing in the U.S. Anything can be taken from anyone at anytime. Get ready to protest to protect your rights!

I just called my reps with @5calls.org. It was super easy. I highly recommend this resource for anyone who wants their voice to be heard on preserving NOAA and the National Weather Service: 5calls.org

It's time to call DOGE for what it is - a blatant power grab. In this short🧵let's review what DOGE actually is and where this could all be heading. I'll suggest a rebranding for DOGE and give a suggestion on what you can do about it. 1 of 11 www.economist.com/united-state...