DiscoverScience on Player FMHow Hurricane Melissa Became a Meteorologic Outlier - Science Quickly
How Hurricane Melissa Became a Meteorologic Outlier - Science Quickly

How Hurricane Melissa Became a Meteorologic Outlier - Science Quickly

Update: 2025-11-03
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Hurricane Melissa stunned meteorologists with its rare intensity, reaching wind speeds that are more typical of Pacific supertyphoons and maintaining Category 5 strength for more than 24 hours. Scientific American senior editor Andrea Thompson breaks down what made the storm so unusual, how it impacted Jamaica and Haiti and what it might signal about the future of hurricanes. Plus, we discuss quick updates on viral infections and heart health, black hole collisions and chimpanzee rationality.




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E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!


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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.

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How Hurricane Melissa Became a Meteorologic Outlier - Science Quickly

How Hurricane Melissa Became a Meteorologic Outlier - Science Quickly