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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to become a uncommon Category 5 hurricane as it veers towards the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and landslides.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is anticipated to make landfall by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been released as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of rain and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Most Intense Cyclone Danger

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

While Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Immediate Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the most effective method to handle anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also active for parts of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Future Course

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three storm.

Climate Context

Even though it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.