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Tropical Storm the storm is predicted to escalate to a rare Category 5 cyclone as it turns toward Jamaica, delivering deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Cyclone Danger

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

While the hurricane is projected to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain already expected ahead of it passes over the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and many mudslides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the most effective method to manage nervousness and any unease and worry is to stay ready."

Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Impact

Warnings are also active for regions of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Path

Melissa is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level storm.

Environmental Context

While it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures produce greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.