Cyclone Melissa Intensifies While Heads Toward the Island Nation
Cyclone the storm is forecast to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.
The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to hit the coast by midweek, according to weather experts.
Alerts of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm produces up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been told.
The cyclone is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.
Highest-Level Storm Danger
A category five cyclone is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.
While the hurricane is expected to weaken to a fourth-level storm before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the country.
Critical Safety Steps
With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many mudslides," counseled meteorological officials.
The country's head of government the statesman commented: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: concern is justified.
"Yet the best way to manage anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to stay ready."
Locals are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather essentials.
Broader Effects
Advisories are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.
Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Future Path
The hurricane is projected to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.
By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 cyclone.
Weather Connection
Even though it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, experts say it is making meteorological events more common and more extreme.
Increased sea temperatures produce additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the development of tropical cyclones.
Before the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.