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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a infrequent category five storm as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall already expected well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and many mudslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any apprehension and anxiety is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

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

Expected Trajectory

Melissa is predicted to cross Cuba by midweek before passing across the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have diminished to a third-level hurricane.

Environmental Background

Even though it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of storms.

Before the start of the current Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where tropical systems frequently develop.