Cyclone Melissa Grows Stronger As It Heads Toward Jamaica

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent highest-level hurricane as it veers towards the Caribbean island, causing dangerous sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th storm in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Storm Danger

A Category 5 cyclone is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though the hurricane is expected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force winds and rain already expected ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of harmful winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many rock slides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the best way to handle anxiety and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being advised to fortify their houses with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Warnings are also in effect for parts of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Rock slides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Trajectory

The hurricane is forecast to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

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

Weather Context

Even though it is challenging to associate individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the start of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, citing warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.