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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a rare category five hurricane as it turns in the direction of the Caribbean island, delivering deadly rapid inundation and mudslides.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Warnings of power cuts and structural damage have been announced as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

A highest-level cyclone is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

While the hurricane is set to weaken to a fourth-level storm before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected well before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many mudslides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to handle anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Warnings are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

Melissa is forecast to move across Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Background

Even though it is difficult to connect specific storms to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the creation of storms.

Prior to the start of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations forecast increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.