John Morales

Extreme weather shapes climate change perceptions worldwide People who have lived through floods, heat waves, or other climate-related disasters are significantly more likely to view climate change as a very serious threat, according to new research from the U...

"Personal experiences cut through abstract statistics and political debates. When someone has lived through a devastating flood or heat wave, the risks of climate change become much more tangible and harder to dismiss." phys.org/news/2025-10...

The first earlier standard time #sunrise over Biscayne Bay was nice. (end of #daylightsavingtime)

Thank you @cleoinstitute.bsky.social for the Circle of Change Award: “At a time when climate coverage faces unprecedented political pressure and censorship, John and the…team of @nbcmiami.com & Telemundo 51 continue to lead with science-driven facts and courage.” www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/j...

"When you think of #Melissa, think Andrew in South Florida, Maria in Puerto Rico, Ivan in Grenada, or Dorian in the Bahamas. It's a humanitarian event." — Marlon A. Hill on @wlrn.org

You want to help #Jamaica and the Caribbean directly? See www.sflcaribbeanstrong.org

John Morales on ‘infamous' Hurricane Melissa's destructive path and worrying trends Melissa, now an infamous hurricane, will see its name retired by the World Meteorological Organization. It’s the third strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, the strongest observed s...

"I don’t need to tell you that I am quite distressed about this new era of abnormally hot Atlantic waters and the catastrophic hurricanes that come as a result. Like it or not, you should be concerned too." My reflections on Hurricane #Melissa for @nbcmiami.com. www.nbcmiami.com/weather/hurr...

Opinion | Hurricane Melissa Maxed Out What Scientists Thought Was Possible

Same, same.

“Forty years later, when I look at satellite imagery and other data on hurricanes and extreme weather, I often cannot believe my eyes. Most of these mind-boggling events have a potential link to climate change.” 🎁🔗

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...

Meteorologist becomes emotional reporting on strength of Hurricane Melissa Hurricane Melissa is slamming into Cuba and taking aim at the Bahamas after devastating Jamaica. MSNBC Climate Reporter Moses Small has our latest forecast and WTVJ Meteorologist Hurricane Specialist ...

"Extreme weather events fueled by climate change are increasing and making me change. I’ve always been authentic [...] but I can no longer be non-alarmist. People need to realize that this is not going to stop until we cut down on greenhouse gas [emissions]." @msnbc.com www.msnbc.com/ana-cabrera-...

With respect.. I guess you're new around here? Meaning you're not familiar with my body of work in climate comms and climate action advocacy? Don't think that this sound bite about the urgency to adapt is intended to deflect from the crisis. Mitigation key, but we're forced to adapt in the meantime.

"I feel compelled to make people realize that this is not going away, that this is going to continue to happen over and over again, and that we need to harden ourselves in every possible way and adapt to these increasing disasters." —part of yesterday's #Melissa coverage on @nbcmiami.com

‘Hurricanes don’t just take lives, they ruin lives’: Meteorologist reacts to Melissa | CNN John Morales, meteorologist for ClimData, speaks with Bianna Golodryga about Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm ever to hit Jamaica.

"This is going to be the worst disaster in the history of #Jamaica. And what I’m worried about is the long term, the lasting effects of the hurricane upon their region." As seen earlier on @camanpour.bsky.social @cnnipr.bsky.social
and today on @pbs.org 📺 www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/t...

At NBC 6 since 4 am and until Melissa’s landfall this morning. Impacts in Jamaica are increasing as their strongest hurricane on record approaches. Winds 175 mph (280 km/hr) with gust factor of 1.5x➕ speeded up by hills & mountains. 13 ft (4 m) storm surge. 30-40 inches (1000 mm) storm total precip

At 901 millibars minimum central barometric pressure, #Melissa is the strongest hurricane ever recorded so late in a season in the Atlantic. It is also the 8th strongest Atlantic #hurricane during any part of the season. It is now sadly moving north-northeast towards #Jamaica.

These unusually warm ocean temperatures, combined with overall tropical climate warming, are projected to have strengthened Melissa’s top wind speed by about 10 mph, and increased #Melissa potential damages by up to 50%. 2/2 fin

During Melissa’s rapid intensification the storm drifted slowly over exceptionally warm ocean waters that were 1.4°C (2.5°F) warmer than average — these conditions were made up to 700 times more likely because of human-caused climate change. (via @climatecentral.org) 1/2

To the point where they've had to reach out to retired staff to man some flights.

Melissa, now with sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/hr) and capable of gusts to 260+ mph (425+ km/hr) on windward hilltops, 40" (1000 mm) of rain, and a 13 ft (4 m) storm surge, has started the feared turn to the northwest. First NW then north is the forecast. #Jamaica #HurricaneAlert

My thesis at @jhuartssciences.bsky.social
hypothesized that bird takes during southward migration in busier hurricane seasons could mean fewer returning neotropical migrants in the spring. I feel for these little guys. See the remarks section of the ~1 pm Vortex Data Message in Melissa.

If you doubt the magnitude of gusts over mountainous islands, just ask Hurricane Marylin (1995) survivors in St. Thomas USVI. Storm total precipitation could reach 40 inches (1000 mm). And the coastal storm surge as high as 13 feet (4 m). The worst storm in #Jamaica history. 2/2 fin

Pressure down to 908 millibars, making #Melissa already the 11th strongest #hurricane on record in the Atlantic. It is still strengthening. Next on the list are Mitch (1998) and Dean (2007) at 905 mb. Sustained winds are up to 165 mph (270 km/hr). Topography can accelerate 1.5x✚

"The NOAA aircraft left the storm early after
experiencing severe turbulence in the southwestern eyewall."

These men and women are not being paid due to the US government shutdown. Not to mention that according to AOML's director emeritus Robert Atlas, they are down 40-50% staff. #Melissa

🌀5️⃣‼️☹️

Doing this on a moonless night can't be fun. Pressure dropping precipitously, which will lead to continued strengthening. #Melissa is shooting for Category 5 intensity—third in Atlantic this year! It's likely to reach it. All signs point to a landfall in #Jamaica very early Tuesday. #HurricaneAlert

Yes because of the flash floods.

"Extensive infrastructural damage, long-duration power and communication outages, and isolation of communities are expected." — expected impacts from #Melissa in #Jamaica according to NHC, which adds, "Seek shelter now." At 5pm Sunday, the #hurricane is Cat 4, winds 145 mph.

Category 4 🚨
Major Hurricane Melissa
5:00 AM EDT Sun Oct 26
Location: 16.3°N 76.3°W
Moving: W at 5 mph
Min pressure: 944 mb
Max sustained: 140 mph

(image via @tropicaltidbits.bsky.social)

Over the past 21 hours Hurricane #Melissa has undergone rapid intensification (RI). Nearly 80% of major hurricanes go through RI cycles to attain their devastating intensities. In the case of this cyclone, I believe we'll see Extreme RI with a gain of 58 mph or more in 24 hours. #Jamaica

"Needless to say there is a very serious situation in terms of catastrophic rainfall wind and storm surge hazards for Jamaica and preparations should be rushed to completion in the area"

NHC explicitly calling for #Melissa to be a Cat 5 #hurricane on approach to #Jamaica (img @bmcnoldy.bsky.social)

I'm awaiting the official declaration that Melissa is a hurricane. The satellite image shows an initial slow trend for a west motion. But clouds still extend across most of Hispaniola with rain (under the brightest clouds) still near the Dominican Republic. Over 20" of rain has fallen. #Melissa

Melissa suddenly has acquired that look. No sooner did the hostile wind shear relax than the first rapid intensification cycle began. I fully expect +35 mph or more in 24 hours going back to 11 am. Water temperatures are top 3 hottest ever recorded. Yet another Cat 4-5 forming. #Melissa

Tropical Storm Melissa, expected to rapidly intensify, and its worrying impacts: John Morales Melissa’s menace to the Greater Antilles is growing.

“It’s not out of the question that three feet of rain could accumulate before it’s all said and done.” #Melissa
www.nbcmiami.com/weather/hurr...