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Cyclone Melissa is projected to become a uncommon category five cyclone as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to make landfall by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa generates up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Most Intense Hurricane Threat

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although Melissa is set to weaken to a fourth-level cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin ahead of it moves across central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous mudslides," urged meteorological officials.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to manage worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also in effect for regions of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Projected Trajectory

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is predicted to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Climate Context

Even though it is difficult to connect specific storms to climate change, experts say it is making climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the atmosphere, aiding in the development of storms.

Before the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems typically originate.