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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, causing deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Warnings of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Hurricane Risk

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

While this storm is projected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the most effective method to handle worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.

Regional Impact

Advisories are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Future Course

Melissa is predicted to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic.

By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a category three cyclone.

Environmental Context

Although it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures produce additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the formation of storms.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where tropical systems often form.