Hurricane the storm Grows Stronger As It Barrels In the Direction of the Island Nation
Cyclone the storm is forecast to escalate to a uncommon category five storm as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, bringing dangerous rapid inundation and mudslides.
The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.
Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.
Melissa is the 13th cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.
Most Intense Storm Danger
A Category 5 cyclone is the strongest type, with winds of at least 252 km/h.
Although this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.
Urgent Readiness Measures
With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and numerous mudslides," counseled weather authorities.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: worry is natural.
"Yet the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to remain prepared."
Inhabitants are being told to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather essentials.
Wider Impact
Advisories are also active for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the midweek period.
Mudslides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Projected Course
This weather system is predicted to pass over the island nation by midweek before moving through the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic.
By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 hurricane.
Weather Context
Even though it is hard to connect specific storms to climate change, researchers say it is making meteorological events more common and more intense.
Warmer oceans create more moisture in the air, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.
Prior to the beginning of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems frequently develop.
