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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to become a infrequent category five cyclone as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, bringing dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane generates up to 76cm of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Cyclone Danger

A Category 5 cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While the hurricane is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it passes over the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government the statesman stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to address anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to gather necessary supplies.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides currently triggered by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Expected Trajectory

Melissa is forecast to cross the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Climate Background

While it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.