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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent highest-level hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Alerts of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Danger

A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With storm-force gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance well before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple rock slides," advised climate experts.

The nation's leader the official commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the best way to handle worry and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."

Locals are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Trajectory

This weather system is predicted to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Weather Context

Even though it is difficult to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the environment, aiding in the development of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and possible stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms often form.