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Hurricane Melissa is projected to strengthen into a rare Category 5 cyclone as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Advisories of power cuts and structural damage have been issued as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," residents have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Storm Danger

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

Although the hurricane is expected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before reaching the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many mudslides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to manage worry and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."

Locals are being advised to secure their homes with sandbags and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also active for areas in the neighboring country such as 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 already being caused by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Trajectory

Melissa is predicted to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Connection

While it is challenging to connect individual weather events to climate change, experts say it is making weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures produce greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Prior to the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.