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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare category five cyclone as it shifts toward Jamaica, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to reach land by early next week, according to weather experts.

Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.

This hurricane is the thirteenth hurricane in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Risk

A Category 5 storm is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is projected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force wind and rainfall already expected well before it crosses Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and numerous landslides," advised climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"But the most effective method to address nervousness and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also active for regions of the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides already being caused by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three storm.

Environmental Context

While it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, scientists say it is making weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the atmosphere, aiding in the creation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected increased storm frequency, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.