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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to strengthen into a rare category five hurricane as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by Tuesday, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Storm Risk

A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though the hurricane is set to weaken to a category four hurricane before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - possibly even the national capital - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"Yet the most effective method to address worry and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.

Future Path

The hurricane is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Background

While it is difficult to associate individual weather events to global warming, experts say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the atmosphere, aiding in the creation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities predicted above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.