Matthew strengthens to a major hurricane

HURRICANE MATTHEW IS now a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale as it moves west- southwestward over the Caribbean Sea.

At 11 a.m. the Miami-based National Hurricane Center Matthew was located about 495 miles (800 kilometres) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h).

Matthew is moving toward the west-southwest near 12 mph (19 km/h).  A westward motion at a slower forward speed is expected later today and tonight. 

A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast by Saturday night, followed by a turn toward the northwest by early Sunday.

 On the forecast track, the centre of Matthew will pass north of the Guajira Peninsula later today and tonight and remain over the central Caribbean Sea through early Sunday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185km/h) with higher gusts. 

Matthew is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles (315 km).

The latest minimum central pressure based on data from the aircraft is 968 mb (28.59 inches).

Tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the warning area in Colombia later later today and tonight.

Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected over Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday. 

Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Colombia from the Venezuelan border to Riohacha.  Rainfall totals of one to two inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Venezuela from Coro to the Colombian border.

Swells generated by Matthew are expected to affect portions of the coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, and Colombia during the next few days. 

These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. (NB)