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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a uncommon category five cyclone as it turns towards Jamaica, causing life-threatening rapid inundation and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered 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 Tuesday, according to meteorological authorities.

Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm brings up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is projected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance well before it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many mudslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: concern is justified.

"However the best way to address worry and any unease and worry is to stay ready."

Locals are being advised to protect their properties with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Trajectory

This weather system is predicted to cross the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Background

While it is hard to associate specific storms to climate change, scientists say it is resulting in climate patterns more common and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the development of storms.

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