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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 storm as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, causing dangerous sudden floods and landslides.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach land by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as the hurricane generates up to 30 inches of rain and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Risk

A Category 5 cyclone is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although this storm is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the country.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many rock slides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official commented: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Trajectory

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Background

Even though it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is making weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the atmosphere, aiding in the creation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.