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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent category five storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, according to weather experts.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Threat

A Category 5 storm is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While Melissa is set to weaken to a category four hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain already expected ahead of it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many mudslides," advised weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"However the best way to manage worry and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to gather basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Warnings are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Path

This weather system is predicted to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level storm.

Climate Connection

While it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.