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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare category five storm as it turns toward Jamaica, causing dangerous rapid inundation and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been released as Melissa generates up to 76cm of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Threat

A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is projected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the country.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader the statesman said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.

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

Inhabitants are being instructed to protect their properties with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides currently triggered by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Path

Melissa is projected to move across the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Climate Background

Although it is difficult to link individual weather events to global warming, researchers say it is causing climate patterns more common and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the environment, aiding in the formation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.