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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent category five storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous sudden floods and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the thirteenth hurricane in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

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

Even though the hurricane is projected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance ahead of it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and numerous rock slides," counseled climate experts.

The nation's leader the statesman stated: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any nervousness and worry is to remain prepared."

Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides currently triggered by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Future Path

Melissa is projected to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the open ocean.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a third-level storm.

Environmental Connection

Although it is hard to associate individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create more moisture in the atmosphere, aiding in the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, referencing heated marine conditions and possible stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.