🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm the storm is forecast to strengthen into a infrequent category five hurricane as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, bringing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to reach land by early next week, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as this storm produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been told.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in November.

Most Intense Storm Threat

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of 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 harmful winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," advised weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle worry and any apprehension and worry is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Impact

Advisories are also ongoing for regions of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides currently triggered by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Trajectory

This weather system is predicted to move across Cuba by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Connection

While it is challenging to associate individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is resulting in climate patterns more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and potential enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.