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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare category five storm as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of power cuts and structural damage have been issued as Melissa generates up to 76cm of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in November.

Most Intense Storm Risk

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it moves across central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - warnings emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and numerous rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

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

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Alerts are also ongoing for areas in Haiti such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides already being caused by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Future Course

This weather system is predicted to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three hurricane.

Climate Context

Although it is difficult to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the atmosphere, aiding in the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.