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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to become a rare category five hurricane as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, causing dangerous rapid inundation and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in late autumn.

Most Intense Cyclone Threat

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected ahead of it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many landslides," urged meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the statesman said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared."

Residents are being advised to protect their properties with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also active for areas in Haiti including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Course

Melissa is projected to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Environmental Background

Although it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures produce greater water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations projected above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.