Rapidly intensifying Hurricane Matthew is on course to impact Jamaica as a major hurricane. The center of the storm is expected to pass in between Jamaica and Haiti, bringing heavy rain, damaging wind, and destructive surf.
Updated Saturday Oct. 1st – 12pm (EDT)
Hurricane Matthew strengthened far more than forecasters expected throughout Friday. The 11pm update from the NHC clocked the storm as a category five hurricane with 160 mph/257 kmh winds. The storm has since retained it’s strength, weakening only slightly to category 4 strength at 145 mph/233 kmh. The island of Jamaica and portions of Haiti are now under a hurricane watch.
While the storm is now expected to pass to the east of the island, Jamaica appears likely to bear the initial brunt of 2016’s strongest Atlantic storm so far. Morecast meteorologists believe the hurricane will maintain category 3 strength as the hurricane passes.
Although Matthew is not expected to make landfall in Jamaica, heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, and destructive surf will likely occur. Residents should still make necessary preparations ahead of the hurricane as conditions can quickly become life threatening.
Current timing suggests that impacts will begin late Sunday and continue into Monday. Given the storm’s unpredictable nature so far, there is a chance timing and strength could change over the coming couple of days.
To our friends in Jamaica, stay safe!
For impacts beyond the weekend, read our updates here: http://bit.ly/2dj6044
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