Will florida be affected by hurricane melissa

On 22 September 2026, meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center issued an update regarding Hurricane Melissa, which is currently tracking across the central Atlantic. As of this date, the storm is maintaining Category 2 status with sustained winds of 105 mph. While the current forecast models indicate that the storm is moving in a west-northwesterly direction, there remains significant uncertainty regarding its long-term path as it approaches the Caribbean basin. Florida emergency management officials are closely monitoring the system, noting that while it is too early to confirm a direct landfall, the state could face indirect impacts by late next week. These potential effects include increased rip currents along the Atlantic coast, elevated surf conditions, and the possibility of tropical moisture surges depending on the storm's eventual turn. Residents across the Florida peninsula are being advised to review their hurricane preparedness kits and stay informed as the system moves into a more critical phase of its development over the coming days.