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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 cyclone as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, delivering deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm produces up to 30 inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Threat

A category five storm is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the island.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin ahead of it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The country's head of government the official commented: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"However the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to remain prepared."

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

Regional Impact

Warnings are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Landslides already being caused by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Path

Melissa is predicted to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the time it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Context

Even though it is difficult to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast increased storm frequency, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.