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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a rare category five hurricane as it veers toward Jamaica, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A Category 5 storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level storm before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Safety Steps

With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin long before it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous landslides," counseled weather authorities.

The country's head of government the official stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."

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

Wider Impact

Alerts are also in effect for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Course

This weather system is forecast to pass over the island nation by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Connection

While it is challenging to connect specific storms to climate change, researchers say it is making meteorological events more common and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures produce additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems typically originate.