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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a uncommon category five storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous rapid inundation and mudslides.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Warnings of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been released as the hurricane brings up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Cyclone Threat

A category five cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is set to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the nation.

Immediate Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the best way to handle worry and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Locals are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Impact

Alerts are also active for areas in the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.

Future Course

The hurricane is forecast to move across Cuba by midweek before moving through the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Climate Connection

Although it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events more common and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Prior to the start of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations projected increased storm frequency, mentioning heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.