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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon category five hurricane as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, delivering deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Most Intense Cyclone Danger

A category five cyclone is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although this storm is projected to weaken to a category four hurricane before reaching the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it hits the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," counseled climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to manage worry and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being instructed to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also active for areas in Haiti such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

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

Expected Trajectory

The hurricane is forecast to cross the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Environmental Background

Although it is difficult to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures produce greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the start of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.