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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent category five hurricane as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, according to meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th storm in the current Atlantic season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Hurricane Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Although this storm is projected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain anticipated well in advance long before it passes over central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and numerous landslides," counseled climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"Yet the best way to handle anxiety and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Regional Effects

Warnings are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Course

Melissa is predicted to move across Cuba by midweek before traveling via the Greater Antilles and emerging into the open ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Background

Although it is hard to connect individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is making meteorological events more prevalent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, aiding in the creation of hurricanes.

Before the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted increased storm frequency, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.