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Hurricane Melissa is projected to strengthen into a uncommon highest-level storm as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, causing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A category five storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is set to diminish in strength to a category four cyclone before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and multiple mudslides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to address anxiety and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to protect their properties with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Environmental Context

Even though it is difficult to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, scientists say it is making climate patterns more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the commencement of the current Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms often form.