#TrackingMatthew: Hurricane Matthew moving slowly towards Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological (Met) Service in its latest bulletin says a hurricane watch remains in effect for Jamaica as the powerful Category 4 Hurricane Matthew moves westward over the central Caribbean and is forecast to start approaching Jamaica and Haiti tomorrow.
At 10:00 am, the centre of Hurricane Matthew was located about 625 kilometres (390 miles) south-east of Kingston, Jamaica, or 590 kilometres (365 miles) south-southwest of Port au Prince, Haiti.
The Met Service says Matthew is now moving toward the west near 9 km/h (6 mph). A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later today, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Sunday.
On the forecast track, the centre of Matthew will move across the central Caribbean Sea today and Sunday, and approach Jamaica and south-western Haiti on Sunday night and Monday.
The Met Service says Maximum sustained winds have decreased slightly to near 230 km/h (145 mph), with higher gusts.
Matthew remains a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible this weekend, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Monday, the Met Service added.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 km (30 miles) from the centre and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 335 km (205 miles).
All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks should by now have completed all the necessary safety precautions and are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.
Meanwhile, the Met Service says the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected to affect Jamaica by Monday:
• Dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less than hurricane force;
• Average winds 64 knots (118 km/h) or higher.