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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to become a rare category five hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from weather experts.

Warnings of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm generates up to 76cm of rain and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Most Intense Hurricane Danger

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

Even though the hurricane is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 storm before reaching the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," counseled meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the most effective method to manage worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides currently triggered by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

Melissa is forecast to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Context

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

Warmer oceans generate greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.