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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to escalate to a uncommon category five hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly rapid inundation and mudslides.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of blackouts and structural damage have been issued as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rain and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Most Intense Hurricane Risk

A Category 5 storm is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Although this storm is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and multiple landslides," urged climate experts.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

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

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Broader Consequences

Alerts are also active for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Background

Even though it is difficult to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing warmer seas and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.