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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 hurricane as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, causing deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in this year's Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Hurricane Threat

A category five cyclone is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although the hurricane is projected to diminish in strength to a category four storm before reaching the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain already expected long before it moves across central Jamaica - possibly even the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple landslides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"However the most effective method to manage worry and any unease and worry is to be prepared."

Locals are being told to secure their homes with protective bags and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also active for parts of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level storm.

Weather Connection

Although it is challenging to connect specific storms to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena more prevalent and more severe.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the air, contributing to the creation of storms.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and potential stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.