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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to escalate to a rare Category 5 cyclone as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The hurricane, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm brings up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Danger

A highest-level hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though Melissa is expected to weaken to a category four storm before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many mudslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to address anxiety and any unease and concern is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also active for parts of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Expected Path

Melissa is projected to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the open ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Connection

While it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures generate additional humidity in the air, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems often form.