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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare Category 5 hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, bringing dangerous sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Most Intense Storm Risk

A Category 5 cyclone is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall predicted to begin well before it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous mudslides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the statesman said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Impact

Alerts are also active for areas in Haiti including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

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

Expected Course

The hurricane is projected to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Connection

While it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in climate patterns more common and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures produce greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities projected above-normal activity, mentioning heated marine conditions and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems often form.