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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a infrequent category five hurricane as it veers toward the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as this storm produces up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," residents have been told.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

A highest-level cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 storm before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it hits the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain predicted to begin long before it passes over central Jamaica - including potentially the national capital - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and multiple rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

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

"Yet the optimal approach to address nervousness and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Locals are being advised to fortify their houses with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Impact

Warnings are also active for areas in the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides already being caused by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Path

Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic.

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

Environmental Connection

While it is challenging to associate individual weather events to global warming, experts say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the start of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.