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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to escalate to a infrequent category five cyclone as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, bringing dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Alerts of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though Melissa is projected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance long before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the most effective method to address worry and any apprehension and worry is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to gather necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Trajectory

Melissa is projected to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Background

While it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, experts say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Warmer oceans generate greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms often form.