KINGSTON, Jamaica – The The Meteorological Service is reporting as of 4:00 am today that a hurricane watch remains in effect for Jamaica as extremely dangerous Hurricane Matthew weakens from category 5 hurricane to a category 4 over the past 3 hours.

The following dangerous effects of a hurricane are, therefore, 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;

At 4:00 am the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near Latitude 13.3 degrees North, Longitude 72.8 degrees West. This is about 675 kilometres (420 miles) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica or 590 kilometres (365 miles) south of Port au Prince, Haiti.

Matthew is moving toward the west near 11 km/h (7 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 away from the Guajira Peninsula, Columbia this morning, move across the central Caribbean Sea today, and will be approaching Jamaica on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are now near 250 km/h (155 mph), with higher gusts. Matthew is 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 Sunday.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 75 km (45 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.

The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system and all interests are reminded to pay special attention to further Releases. The next Bulletin on Hurricane Matthew will be issued at 8:00 a.m. today.