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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent highest-level storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by midweek, as reported by weather experts.

Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been issued as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Seek shelter now," locals have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Threat

A category five cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is set to weaken to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Immediate Preparations

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

"Several days of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," advised meteorological officials.

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

"But the optimal approach to manage worry and any unease and concern is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Regional Consequences

Advisories are also active for areas in Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

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

Expected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to pass over Cuba by midweek before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a category three cyclone.

Climate Background

While it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the air, aiding in the formation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where Atlantic storms typically originate.