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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to strengthen into a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm brings up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Danger

A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the island.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain already expected well before it passes over the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and many rock slides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"But the best way to address worry and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also ongoing for areas in Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Mudslides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to emergency services.

Expected Trajectory

Melissa is predicted to pass over Cuba by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Weather Context

Even though it is hard to associate individual weather events to climate change, experts say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Before the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems frequently develop.