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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly sudden floods and landslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to meteorological authorities.

Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa generates up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

A highest-level hurricane is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

While this storm is projected to weaken to a category four cyclone before reaching the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the country.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation predicted to begin long before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - warnings indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple mudslides," advised climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to address anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to remain prepared."

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

Wider Effects

Advisories are also active for parts of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Future Trajectory

This weather system is projected to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Background

Even though it is difficult to link specific storms to global warming, scientists say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans generate more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.