Hurricane Melissa Grows Stronger As It Moves Toward Jamaica
Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 storm as it turns toward the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous flash flooding and landslides.
This weather system, which had winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, according to hurricane specialists.
Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as this storm brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been urged.
Melissa is the 13th storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.
Category Five Hurricane Risk
A highest-level hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.
Even though this storm is projected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the island.
Immediate Preparations
With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".
"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous rock slides," advised climate experts.
The country's head of government the official said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.
"But the optimal approach to address nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to remain prepared."
Residents are being advised to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.
Wider Consequences
Warnings are also active for parts of the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.
Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.
Projected Path
The hurricane is predicted to move across Cuba by midweek before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.
By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three hurricane.
Environmental Context
Although it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.
Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the development of storms.
Prior to the start of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, referencing heated marine conditions and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems typically originate.
