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Bulletin #26 - Tropical Storm Warning Remains In Effect For Jamaica As Matthew Strengthens Slightly
posted:
2016-10-03 11:59:31
The Meteorological Service has maintained a TROPICAL STORM WARNING for Jamaica, as Hurricane Matthew again shows slight strengthening.
This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 63-118 km/h (39-73 mph), are expected to affect Jamaica in 36 hours or less.
At 10:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Matthew was located near Latitude 16.6 degrees North, Longitude 74.6 degrees West. This is about 260 kilometres (160 miles) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica or 325 kilometres (200 miles) southwest of Port au Prince, Haiti.
Matthew is moving toward the north near 11 km/h (7 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue tonight through Tuesday. A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast on Wednesday. On this track, the centre of Matthew will approach southwestern Haiti tonight and Tuesday morning and move near eastern Cuba late Tuesday.
Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 230 km/h (145 mph), with higher gusts, so Matthew remains a dangerous Category 4 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 Wednesday.
On the projected path Jamaica should be outside the range of hurricane-force winds as Matthew moves close to southwestern Haiti tonight. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 65 km (40 miles) from the centre and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 295 km (185 miles). This means that storm-force winds are likely to spread over eastern parishes, including St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine, while gusty winds reaching near tropical storm-force should also be expected over central parishes through tonight and into tomorrow.
Doppler radar confirms that light to moderate rainfall has been affecting mainly eastern and central sections of the island with isolated heavy showers over sections of St. Thomas. An extensive area of rainfall now moving onshore from the east is expected to move over the country during the next 6-12 hours. Rainfall amounts of 5-10 inches are predicted over eastern parishes as Hurricane Matthew passes close to the island tonight and tomorrow.
Coastal areas of eastern parishes should also expect storm surges of 2-4 feet through Tuesday morning. Small craft operators are reminded to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions return 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 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.
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Source: Gleaner/Power 106 News
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