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Hurricane Melissa is projected to strengthen into a uncommon category five storm as it veers towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach land by early next week, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as the hurricane generates up to 30 inches of rain and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in November.

Most Intense Cyclone Threat

A Category 5 cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though Melissa is projected to weaken to a category four storm before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the national capital - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and numerous landslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to address worry and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

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

Wider Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

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

Future Trajectory

This weather system is projected to move across the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Greater Antilles and entering the open ocean.

By the time it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Background

Although it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of storms.

Ahead of the start of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.