Melissa has gone through what is known as extreme rapid intensification. This is the most severe form of intensification a tropical cyclone can undergo, when it strengthens by 58 mph in 24 hours.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened from a category 1 hurricane on Saturday night, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, to a catastrophic category 4 with 140 mph winds. It is still crawling west at 4 mph. This movement is expected to continue at least through Monday afternoon before it makes a sharp turn to the northeast and travels over Jamaica during the day on Tuesday.

Sunday morning's satellite image is impressive. Showing at times a well-defined eye that closes off as it seems to continue to intensify. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from its center, and hurricane fo

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