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Tropical Storm the storm is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of rain and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

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

While Melissa is projected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader the official said: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle worry and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Locals are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Projected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to move across the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane.

Weather Background

Although it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is making weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the environment, aiding in the creation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted increased storm frequency, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes typically originate.