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Tropical Storm the storm is forecast to strengthen into a infrequent Category 5 storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by early next week, based on data from weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa produces up to 76cm of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.

This hurricane is the thirteenth hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Most Intense Storm Danger

A highest-level storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a category four hurricane before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin long before it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to protect their properties with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to gather essentials.

Broader Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Projected Course

This weather system is projected to pass over the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a category three hurricane.

Climate Context

Although it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing meteorological events more common and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.