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Cyclone Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, causing life-threatening rapid inundation and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Hurricane Threat

A highest-level hurricane is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though the hurricane is projected to weaken to a category four cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it crosses central Jamaica - including potentially the national capital - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many landslides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official commented: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to address nervousness and any unease and anxiety is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to fortify their houses with protective bags and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also active for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Course

The hurricane is projected to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean.

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

Climate Context

While it is difficult to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat generate additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning heated marine conditions and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.