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Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a uncommon category five hurricane as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to make landfall by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.

Alerts of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as this storm produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in the ongoing Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Hurricane Danger

A highest-level hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While this storm is set to weaken to a Category 4 storm before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the country.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," counseled weather authorities.

The nation's leader the statesman said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to handle worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Regional Effects

Warnings are also in effect for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

This weather system is forecast to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Background

While it is hard to connect individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat generate more moisture in the air, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Prior to the beginning of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected above-normal activity, referencing heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes typically originate.