According to the NHC, as of 8:00 a.m., Matthew was located about 120 miles (210 kilometers) northeast of Gallinas, Colombia. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane flew into the storm early this morning and recorded wind speeds of 105 mph (165 kph).
The storm is presently moving at 14 mph (22 kph) in a west-south-westerly direction. It is expected to slow down as it gathers strength over the warm waters of the Caribbean today. The minimum central pressure of the storm is 971 mb (28.67 inches).
The latest predictions show Matthew becoming a major hurricane later today with wind speeds picking up to 115 mph.
Computer models are still showing that Matthew will make a turn to the north either Saturday or Sunday. Any impact to the east coast of the United States will depend on the storm’s forward speed and when Matthew makes that expected turn. Once that turn is made, forecasters will have a better idea of any future impact to the U.S. coastline.
The latest Predictions indicate the storm turning to the northwest and reaching Jamaica by late Sunday as a major Category 3 hurricane. Regardless of the exact path, residents of Jamaica, Haiti, and Eastern Cuba should be prepared for flooding rain, sustained damaging winds in excess of 80 mph, and gusts of over 100 mph, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Ed Vallee.
“Widespread rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches can be expected across Jamaica, Haiti and eastern Cuba,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Miller said. “This includes the city of Kingston, Jamaica.” It will be interesting to see what later advisories show, especially concerning the forward track and when the storm makes its turn.