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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to strengthen into a rare highest-level hurricane as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous sudden floods and landslides.

The hurricane, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Alerts of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," residents have been advised.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although the hurricane is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain already expected long before it moves across central Jamaica - possibly even the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to handle nervousness and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Mudslides presently generated by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

Melissa is predicted to cross Cuba by midweek before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 storm.

Environmental Context

Although it is challenging to connect individual weather events to climate change, researchers say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, aiding in the formation of hurricanes.

Prior to the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast above-normal activity, mentioning heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.