At 200 AM EDT (0600 UTC), radar data from Guantanamo, Cuba, along with reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft, indicate that the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 20.7 North, longitude 74.4 West. Matthew is moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue overnight. A turn toward the north-northwest is expected today, followed by a northwest turn Wednesday night. Matthew will be moving across the Bahamas through Thursday, and is expected to be very near the east coast of Florida by Thursday evening.Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Matthew is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next couple of days, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through at least Thursday night. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km). The minimum central pressure estimated from reconnaissance aircraft data is 962 mb (28.41 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Hurricane conditions could still be affecting the northwest portion of Haiti. Hurricane conditions are likely occuring over eastern Cuba, and will begin in portions of the southeastern Bahamas within the next few hours, the central Bahamas later today, and the northwestern Bahamas Wednesday night. Tropical storm conditions will continue over portions of Haiti and eastern Cuba this morning. Tropical storm conditions are spreading over the southeastern Bahamas, and should reach the central and northwestern Bahamas later today, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are still occurring in portions the Dominican Republic within the warning area, and these conditions will spread northward into the Turks and Caicos Islands overnight. Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch areas in Cuba tonight with tropical storm conditions possible overnight. Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area in Florida by late Thursday, with tropical storm conditions expected by early Thursday. Tropical storm conditions should reach the tropical storm warning area in Florida by early Thursday. RAINFALL: Matthew is expected to produce total rainfall amounts in the following areas: Southern Haiti and southwestern Dominican Republic...15 to 25 inches, isolated 40 inches Eastern Cuba and northwestern Haiti...8 to 12 inches, isolated 20 inches Eastern Jamaica...4 to 6 inches, isolated 12 inches The Bahamas...8 to 12 inches, isolated 15 inches Turks and Caicos Islands...2 to 5 inches, isolated 8 inches Northeastern Haiti and the Northern Dominican Republic...1 to 3 inches, isolated 5 inches Western Jamaica...1 to 2 inches, isolated 3 inches Upper Florida Keys northward to coastal east-central Florida....4 to 7 inches, isolated 10 inches Middle to Lower Florida Keys....1 to 3 inches, isolated 5 inches Life-threatening flash floods and mudslides are likely in southern and northwestern Haiti, the southwestern Dominican Republic, and eastern Cuba. STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and large and destructive waves could raise water levels by as much as the following amounts above normal tide levels... Southern Coast of Cuba east of Cabo Cruz...7 to 11 feet South Coast of Haiti...7 to 10 feet Northern Coast of Cuba east of Camaguey...4 to 6 feet Gulf of Gonave in Haiti...3 to 5 feet The Bahamas...10 to 15 feet The water could reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide... North Palm Beach to the Flagler/Volusia county line...3 to 5 ft Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. Large waves generated by Matthew will cause water rises to occur well in advance of and well away from the track of the center. The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. There is a danger of life-threatening inundation during the next 36 hours along the Florida east coast from North Palm Beach to the Sebastian Inlet. There is the possibility of life-threatening inundation during the next 48 hours from Sebastian Inlet to the Flagler/Volusia county line. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the Prototype National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. The Prototype Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic is a depiction of areas that would qualify for inclusion under a storm surge watch or warning currently under development by the National Weather Service and planned for operational use in 2017. The Prototype Graphic is available at hurricanes.gov. SURF: Swells generated by Matthew will continue to affect portions of the coasts of Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, and the Bahamas during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
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