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Cyclone the storm is predicted to escalate to a uncommon highest-level cyclone as it turns towards Jamaica, bringing dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, according to weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Danger

A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

While Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a category four hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the country.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - warnings indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the best way to address anxiety and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Broader Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have caused two deaths in the country, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is predicted to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic.

By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Environmental Connection

Although it is challenging to associate individual weather events to climate change, experts say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of hurricanes.

Before the commencement of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies projected increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.