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Cyclone Melissa is projected to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.

Alerts of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm produces up to 76cm of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Risk

A category five cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is expected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the country.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - warnings emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and multiple landslides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the best way to manage nervousness and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

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

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Expected Path

The hurricane is projected to cross Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three hurricane.

Weather Connection

Even though it is difficult to associate specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is making climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the atmosphere, aiding in the creation of storms.

Ahead of the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.