Cyclone Melissa Intensifies As It Heads In the Direction of Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare Category 5 cyclone as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and structural damage have been released as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Danger

A category five cyclone is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - advisories emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and multiple mudslides," counseled weather authorities.

The nation's leader the official said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

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

Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also active for parts of the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Landslides already being caused by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Course

This weather system is predicted to cross the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Connection

While it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, scientists say it is causing meteorological events more common and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the environment, aiding in the development of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities projected increased storm frequency, referencing warmer seas and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes often form.