Later in the week, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Florida could be in the storm’s path. Rick Knabb, the director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami cautioned Florida residents last night to use the time they have this weekend to prepare for the possibility of Matthew striking Florida, reports CNN.
The NHC’s 11:00 a.m. advisory puts Matthew about 365 miles (590 kilometers) south-southwest of Port Au Prince, Haiti, and 390 miles (625 kilometers) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, moving west at 6.0 mph (9.0 kph). The minimum central pressure is 947 mb (27.97 inches).
While Hurricane Matthew has been downgraded to a Category 4 storm, it is still extremely powerful and dangerous, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph), with higher wind gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward from the center for 30 miles (45 kilometers) and tropical storm-force winds extend outward for 205 miles (335 kilometers).
A hurricane watch is in effect for Jamaica and Haiti from the southern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St. Nicholas. The Colombian government has discontinued its tropical storm warnings.
The eye of Hurricane Matthew was north of Colombia and Venezuela Saturday morning and is headed toward the Caribbean Sea where it will make a turn toward the north-northwest on Sunday and track toward the north on Monday. Haiti and Jamaica can expect Matthew’s arrival late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
In Jamaica, the Jamaica Observer is reporting that Evan Thompson, the Director of the Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica, said the country will likely experience 24-36 hours of rainfall if Hurricane Matthew strikes.
