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Hurricane the storm is projected to become a uncommon Category 5 storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, causing deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been released as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Most Intense Cyclone Risk

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it strikes the nation.

Immediate Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple mudslides," advised climate experts.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

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

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.

Regional Impact

Advisories are also in effect for parts of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

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

Projected Course

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Background

Even though it is challenging to associate individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is making climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures generate additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of storms.

Ahead of the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.