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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare category five cyclone as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, delivering life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, according to weather experts.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been released as the hurricane generates up to 76cm of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Hurricane Threat

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

Although the hurricane is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain already expected well before it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous rock slides," advised climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the best way to address nervousness and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Residents are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also active for parts of the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Future Path

This weather system is predicted to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the open ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a third-level cyclone.

Environmental Connection

While it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Prior to the beginning of the current Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and potential stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.