Tropical Storm the storm Grows Stronger As It Barrels Toward the Island Nation
Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it veers toward the Caribbean island, causing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.
The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by midweek, as reported by weather experts.
Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been issued as the hurricane generates up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.
The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.
Category Five Hurricane Risk
A highest-level cyclone is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.
Even though this storm is set to weaken to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.
Immediate Preparations
With tropical storm-level winds and rain anticipated well in advance long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - warnings indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"A multi-day period of harmful winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple mudslides," advised weather authorities.
The country's head of government the statesman stated: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.
"However the best way to manage nervousness and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."
Inhabitants are being advised to fortify their houses with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.
Regional Consequences
Advisories are also ongoing for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.
Mudslides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.
Projected Trajectory
The hurricane is projected to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.
By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.
Weather Connection
While it is challenging to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.
Warmer oceans create more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.
Prior to the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.