A specialized US Air Force aircraft, part of the “Hurricane Hunters” program, has bravely flown into the eye of Hurricane Melissa, a record-breaking Category 5 storm. The mission successfully documented the rare “stadium effect,” a visual phenomenon where the eyewall clouds arch outwards, creating a stadium-like shape from an aerial perspective. This extraordinary footage contributes to crucial data collection for storm tracking and prediction.
As Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm of 2025, advanced towards Jamaica, its crew gathered essential information for the National Hurricane Center. The storm’s intensity was unprecedented for Jamaica, marking the most powerful hurricane to impact the island in over 170 years.
In addition to the scientific observations, the crew released compelling videos on X, highlighting the dramatic “stadium effect.” These visuals provided a unique glimpse into the immense power and structure of the hurricane, captured at various points during the flight, including a striking sunrise pass.
The impact of Melissa was felt even before landfall. Jamaica experienced three deaths, and neighboring Haiti and the Dominican Republic reported a combined total of at least four casualties, with one person missing. Coastal areas of Kingston were warned of a potential 13-foot storm surge, threatening vital infrastructure. Over 50,000 people lost power, and damage from landslides, fallen trees, and downed power lines was reported.