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Cyclone Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare category five cyclone as it turns in the direction of the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th cyclone in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Danger

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

While this storm is expected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before reaching the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Critical Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall already expected long before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many landslides," advised weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to address worry and any nervousness and worry is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Broader Impact

Warnings are also ongoing for regions of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Mudslides currently triggered by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

The hurricane is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Weather Context

Although it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is making climate patterns increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the environment, aiding in the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the start of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and possible enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.