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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare highest-level hurricane as it veers toward Jamaica, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to hit the coast by early next week, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as this storm brings up to thirty inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told.

This hurricane is the thirteenth storm in the ongoing Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Storm Risk

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

Even though Melissa is projected to weaken to a category four cyclone before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it passes over Jamaica's central region - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

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

Locals are being instructed to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences 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 the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Path

Melissa is projected to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Weather Background

While it is challenging to associate individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the atmosphere, aiding in the development of storms.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies predicted increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.