Hurricane the storm Grows Stronger While Moves Toward the Island Nation
Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a infrequent highest-level storm as it turns toward the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.
This weather system, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by weather experts.
Warnings of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been told.
The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.
Highest-Level Storm Risk
A category five cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.
Even though the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.
Urgent Preparations
With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," urged weather authorities.
Jamaican Prime Minister the official commented: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.
"But the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."
Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with protective bags and timber panels, and to stock up on necessary supplies.
Wider Effects
Warnings are also ongoing for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.
Rock slides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.
Projected Trajectory
Melissa is projected to pass over the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.
By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.
Weather Background
Even though it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is making climate patterns more common and more severe.
Warmer oceans generate greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.
Prior to the beginning of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, referencing heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.
