Hurricane the storm Grows Stronger While Heads In the Direction of Jamaica

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a uncommon highest-level hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by early next week, according to weather experts.

Warnings of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Seek shelter now," residents have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

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

Although this storm is set to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall already expected long before it crosses central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many rock slides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the most effective method to address nervousness and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and timber panels, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is expected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides presently generated by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is predicted to move across Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a category three storm.

Environmental Background

While it is challenging to associate individual weather events to climate change, researchers say it is making meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms typically originate.