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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a uncommon highest-level cyclone as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and structural damage have been issued as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Storm Threat

A Category 5 storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain predicted to begin well before it passes over central Jamaica - including potentially the national capital - warnings indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many mudslides," advised weather authorities.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

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

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to gather basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Warnings are also active for parts of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides already being caused by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Course

Melissa is forecast to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Context

Even though it is challenging to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat generate additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Before the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and possible enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.