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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to become a rare highest-level hurricane as it shifts towards Jamaica, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach land by midweek, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as Melissa brings up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in November.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A category five storm is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin well before it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and numerous mudslides," counseled meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

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

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Wider Impact

Alerts are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Expected Trajectory

The hurricane is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the time it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level storm.

Climate Connection

While it is hard to associate individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the creation of storms.

Ahead of the commencement of the current Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where tropical systems frequently develop.