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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to escalate to a infrequent highest-level hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and landslides.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of blackouts and structural damage have been released as the hurricane produces up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Threat

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and numerous rock slides," counseled climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"But the best way to address worry and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

Locals are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather basic necessities.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also active for regions of the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Landslides presently generated by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to move across Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a Category 3 storm.

Environmental Connection

Even though it is hard to associate individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the creation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms often form.