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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon highest-level hurricane as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, causing deadly rapid inundation and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been released as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Threat

A category five storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is set to weaken to a category four hurricane before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many landslides," advised meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Wider Consequences

Warnings are also active for regions of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have diminished to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Background

Although it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in climate patterns more common and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the air, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.