Fearsome Melissa Retired as Hurricane Name; Say Hello to Molly Goodbye to Hurricane Melissa, and hello to Molly. The name Melissa has been retired from the Atlantic Ocean’s hurricane naming list following the devastation caused by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The World Meteorological Organization’s hurricane committee approved the decision this week, citing the widespread destruction, loss of life, and flooding that the storm inflicted across the Caribbean. Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica’s Meteorological Service and president of the WMO’s Regional Association IV, emphasized the lasting impact of Melissa. “After more than four months since the storm passed over Jamaica, stories about the impacts and recovery continue to dominate the news and media. Melissa has now been engraved in the collective memory of the nation,” he said. Thompson had previously requested the retirement of the name, expressing gratitude for the committee’s unanimous approval. “Jamaica would not have liked to constantly recount the trauma that was visited on us in 2025,” he added. Molly will replace Melissa on the naming list. The new name will be used if there are at least 13 named storms during the 2031 hurricane season. The WMO’s hurricane committee, which includes experts from national meteorological services across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, is currently meeting in Mexico City. The group is reviewing the 2025 season and preparing for the 2026 hurricane season, which begins on June 1. Names are reused every six years unless retired, and the lists alternate between male and female names. The names are chosen to be easy to pronounce and culturally representative of the region.#world_meteorological_organization #hurricane_melissa #evan_thompson #jamaica #mexico_city
