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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a uncommon category five cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous rapid inundation and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm generates up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Most Intense Hurricane Risk

A category five storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many landslides," urged climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the most effective method to handle worry and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Trajectory

This weather system is projected to move across the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Climate Background

Although it is difficult to link specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected higher-than-average occurrence, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes frequently develop.