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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to become a rare category five hurricane as it shifts towards Jamaica, causing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Alerts of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Danger

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although Melissa is set to weaken to a category four hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With storm-force wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and many rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the best way to address anxiety and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."

Locals are being instructed to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather essentials.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also active for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Path

This weather system is projected to cross the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level storm.

Environmental Background

Even though it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the air, aiding in the formation of storms.

Ahead of the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected above-normal activity, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.