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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare highest-level storm as it turns towards Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and landslides.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as Melissa brings up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been urged.

This hurricane is the thirteenth hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in November.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although the hurricane is expected to weaken to a category four hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many landslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to address nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Effects

Warnings are also in effect for regions of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Course

The hurricane is predicted to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Climate Context

Although it is challenging to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is making weather phenomena more prevalent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of storms.

Before the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.