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Hurricane the storm is projected to escalate to a rare category five cyclone as it turns towards Jamaica, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and landslides.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to make landfall by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Alerts of power cuts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Most Intense Hurricane Risk

A category five storm is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While this storm is expected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the island.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it moves across central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the national capital - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and numerous mudslides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being instructed to protect their properties with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Course

Melissa is projected to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a Category 3 storm.

Environmental Background

Even though it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of storms.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning heated marine conditions and potential enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.