Cyclone Melissa Grows Stronger While Heads Towards Jamaica
Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent category five storm as it veers towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous rapid inundation and mudslides.
The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.
Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.
This hurricane is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.
Highest-Level Storm Threat
A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 252 km/h.
Although Melissa is projected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.
Critical Preparations
With storm-force wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - advisories emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and numerous rock slides," advised climate experts.
The nation's leader the official commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.
"But the best way to handle anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."
Locals are being advised to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather basic necessities.
Broader Consequences
Advisories are also active for regions of the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.
Rock slides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Future Path
The hurricane is predicted to cross Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.
By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a category three storm.
Environmental Context
Even though it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more extreme.
Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the air, aiding in the development of hurricanes.
Ahead of the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms often form.