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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to strengthen into a infrequent highest-level storm as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been released as Melissa produces up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A highest-level storm is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force wind and rainfall predicted to begin well before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," urged climate experts.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: worry is natural.

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

Locals are being instructed to fortify their houses with sandbags and timber panels, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Consequences

Warnings are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Future Course

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Weather Context

While it is hard to associate specific storms to global warming, experts say it is making weather phenomena more prevalent and more severe.

Warmer oceans generate greater water vapor in the atmosphere, aiding in the formation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.