The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) met this week in Mexico City for its 48th session of the Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee. During the conference, the WMO typically retires hurricane names of the past season.

Today, the committee retired the name Melissa, which caused catastrophic damage to Jamaica in late October of last year. Melissa’s peak wind speed was recently increased from 185 to 190 mph in its Tropical Cyclone Report, making Melissa tied with Allen (1980) for the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record by wind speed. In Jamaica, Melissa is estimated to have caused roughly $8.8 billion in damage and 45 fatalities.

Due to the catastrophic damage in Jamaica that was among the worst in recorded history for the region, the name Melissa will be replaced by Molly for the 2031 Atlantic hurricane season.

No other hurricane names in the North Atlantic or Eastern North Pacific were retired following the 2025 seasons, and will remain on the list for 2031.