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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to become a rare highest-level storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening rapid inundation and mudslides.

The cyclone, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as this storm generates up to 76cm of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

A Category 5 cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.

Although the hurricane is projected to diminish in strength to a category four hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall predicted to begin well before it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain have begun and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many landslides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the most effective method to manage worry and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Locals are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also active for areas in the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Mudslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Path

This weather system is projected to cross Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level cyclone.

Climate Context

Although it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, experts say it is causing meteorological events more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the air, contributing to the formation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems typically originate.