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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon highest-level storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Threat

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though the hurricane is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance well before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many landslides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the most effective method to address anxiety and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

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

Wider Impact

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides presently generated by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Expected Path

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a third-level storm.

Environmental Background

Although it is hard to associate individual weather events to global warming, researchers say it is making climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat produce additional humidity in the air, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast above-normal activity, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.