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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a uncommon Category 5 cyclone as it shifts towards Jamaica, bringing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to reach land by midweek, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been issued as this storm brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Danger

A category five cyclone is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the country.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected long before it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - warnings indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple rock slides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Broader Impact

Warnings are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Expected Course

Melissa is forecast to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and out into the open ocean.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Context

While it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, experts say it is making weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat generate additional humidity in the environment, aiding in the formation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.