Cyclone the storm is forecast to escalate to a infrequent highest-level storm as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and landslides.
This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.
Warnings of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm generates up to 76cm of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.
The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.
A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.
While Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the country.
With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple landslides," advised climate experts.
The country's head of government the statesman commented: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.
"However the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."
Locals are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.
Warnings are also in effect for parts of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.
Rock slides presently generated by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
This weather system is projected to pass over the island nation by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.
By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.
Even though it is challenging to associate individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is making meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.
Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the air, aiding in the creation of storms.
Before the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.
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