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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon category five cyclone as it shifts towards Jamaica, bringing dangerous rapid inundation and landslides.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as Melissa brings up to 76cm of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth hurricane in this year's Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though this storm is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain predicted to begin long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many landslides," advised climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the most effective method to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.

Regional Impact

Warnings are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Future Trajectory

Melissa is forecast to cross Cuba by midweek before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level storm.

Climate Connection

Even though it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, researchers say it is causing meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the beginning of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and possible stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems typically originate.