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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare Category 5 hurricane as it veers towards Jamaica, causing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Storm Threat

A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

While the hurricane is projected to reduce in intensity to a category four cyclone before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain already expected well before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government the official stated: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to address worry and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for areas in Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Trajectory

This weather system is predicted to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic.

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

Environmental Context

Although it is difficult to associate individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities projected above-normal activity, mentioning heated marine conditions and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems often form.