The impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has caused significant devastation with its 185mph winds and resulted in numerous casualties, is now being anticipated in the UK. Countries in the Caribbean region, such as Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, have already experienced mass evacuations, destruction of buildings, power outages, and severe flooding as the storm made its way through. Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane, first hit Jamaica and then moved on to Cuba, marking one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record.
Despite the geographical distance, the weather patterns associated with Hurricane Melissa could potentially affect the UK as it crosses the Atlantic Ocean. British Weather Services’ senior meteorologist, Jim Dale, foresees that the remnants of the hurricane, referred to as “ashes,” may reach the UK in the coming week, bringing along high winds and heavy rainfall. Dale mentioned that the impact, if any, should not be as severe as experienced in the Caribbean.
The Met Office also indicated the possibility of the storm remnants heading towards the UK. Forecast models suggest that Hurricane Melissa is likely to weaken as it encounters cooler waters and drier air; however, uncertainties remain regarding its exact path, with some models hinting at a potential approach to the UK or Iceland.
While the impact in the UK is not expected to be as catastrophic as in the Caribbean, the national agency emphasized that ex-hurricanes transitioning into extratropical systems could still bring wet and windy weather, albeit without the extreme conditions seen in the earlier stages. The agency suggested that although Melissa might bring unsettled conditions to the UK, the most severe impacts are likely to be concentrated in the south and west regions.
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