Melissa will speed by Bermuda on its way out of the picture

If it feels like we’ve been tracking Melissa forever, that’s not far off. Today is its last full day as a hurricane as the storm accelerates into the North Atlantic. On the way it’ll mess with Bermuda and perhaps portions of the Canadian Maritimes.

Weather watch

Melissa heads toward Bermuda. Melissa passed through the eastern Bahamas on Wednesday, causing significant storm surge, flooding and wind damage. Now moving away from the islands, it is presently in a restrengthening mode. It will pass just west of Bermuda Thursday night as a Category 2 storm with about 105 mph winds. From there it heads to cool waters and becomes non-tropical, but it may swipe coastal Newfoundland still boasting hurricane force winds.

Eastern U.S. storm. Strengthening low pressure moves from the central Appalachians toward New England on Thursday. In the process, it’s dropping some needed rain on the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with a widespread 1 to 2 inches of rain expected when it’s all done. There’s also a severe storm threat through the afternoon, with even a quick tornado possible in and around the D.C./Baltimore region.

Lightning links

Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba pick up the pieces after Melissa’s destruction. (Ariel Fernandez and Andrea Rodriguez, The Associated Press)

Melissa’s Aftermath Leaves St. Elizabeth Stripped Bare. (The Weather Channel)

Before and after satellite imagery showcases extensive Hurricane Melissa destruction in Jamaica. (Kieran Sullivan, FOX Weather)

5 more homes collapsed into the surf Tuesday on North Carolina's Outer Banks. (Jesse Ferrell, AccuWeather)

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Weekday morning newsletter by a journalist/forecaster. Connecting weather and climate change dots while occasionally stirring the pot.

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