KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological (Met) Service says a hurricane warning is still in effect for Jamaica, as Matthew moves towards Jamaica over the next 24-36 hours.

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 118 kilometres per hour or higher.

At 8:00 am the centre of Hurricane Matthew was located about 510 kilometres (315 miles) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica or 545 kilometres (340 miles) south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The Met service says Matthew is moving toward the northwest at 7 km/h (5 mph). This general motion is expected to continue today, followed by a turn toward the north tonight. On the forecast track, the centre of Matthew will approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti on Monday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 240 km/h (150 mph), with higher gusts; Matthew remains a Category 4 hurricane. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next couple of days, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Monday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 km (25 miles) from the centre and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 335 km (205 miles).

As Matthew moves closer to Jamaica’s eastern-most point, rainfall is expected to begin affecting eastern parishes as early as midday. Matthew is expected to produce:

• 250-500 mm (10-20 in) of rainfall primarily across eastern parishes (St Mary, Portland, St Thomas, and Kingston and St Andrew) with isolated amounts of 600 mm (25in) over higher elevations, and

• 50-100 mm (2-4 in) of rainfall across western and central parishes with isolated accumulations of 150 mm (6 in).

These rainfall amounts will produce extensive flooding and trigger dangerous landslides.

All small craft operators are further advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions return to normal, the Met service said.