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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, delivering deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Storm Threat

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is projected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the nation.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," urged climate experts.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"Yet the most effective method to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Effects

Advisories are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Path

Melissa is forecast to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.

Weather Context

Even though it is difficult to link specific storms to climate change, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Prior to the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast above-normal activity, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.