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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to become a infrequent category five cyclone as it shifts towards Jamaica, causing dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to make landfall by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been released as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Threat

A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although Melissa is projected to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall already expected long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the national capital - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous mudslides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also active for regions of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

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

Projected Course

This weather system is predicted to move across Cuba by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three storm.

Weather Context

Although it is hard to connect specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies projected above-normal activity, mentioning heated marine conditions and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems often form.