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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare Category 5 cyclone as it turns toward Jamaica, bringing deadly rapid inundation and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th storm in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Storm Threat

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

Although Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 storm before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected well before it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many landslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness stated: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: concern is justified.

"However the most effective method to address nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Regional Consequences

Advisories are also in effect for regions of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Course

Melissa is projected to move across Cuba by midweek before traveling via the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a third-level storm.

Weather Background

While it is hard to associate individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more severe.

Warmer oceans generate greater water vapor in the environment, aiding in the creation of storms.

Ahead of the commencement of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms often form.