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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it turns in the direction of the Caribbean island, causing deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Storm Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although the hurricane is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," advised meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the official stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the most effective method to handle nervousness and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."

Locals are being told to protect their properties with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

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

Expected Trajectory

This weather system is forecast to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three cyclone.

Weather Connection

Although it is difficult to associate individual weather events to climate change, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where hurricanes typically originate.