Cyclone Melissa Grows Stronger While Moves Toward the Island Nation
Cyclone Melissa is forecast to strengthen into a uncommon highest-level cyclone as it veers toward Jamaica, causing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.
The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.
Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.
Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.
Category Five Cyclone Risk
A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Although the hurricane is projected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.
Critical Preparations
With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".
"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," advised climate experts.
The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.
"But the optimal approach to address anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."
Inhabitants are being advised to fortify their houses with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.
Regional Effects
Advisories are also active for areas in Haiti including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.
Rock slides already being caused by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.
Future Course
Melissa is projected to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
By the point it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.
Weather Context
While it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.
Increased sea temperatures create more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of storms.
Ahead of the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms often form.
