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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it turns towards Jamaica, bringing deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been released as the hurricane generates up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a category four cyclone before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force wind and rainfall predicted to begin ahead of it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - warnings indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to handle worry and any apprehension and worry is to stay ready."

Locals are being told to protect their properties with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also active for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Future Path

Melissa is forecast to pass over the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Climate Background

Although it is hard to link individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is making meteorological events more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create more moisture in the air, contributing to the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, referencing heated marine conditions and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where Atlantic storms typically originate.