Hurricane, storm warnings as Jose approaches Leewards

Already battered by Hurricane Irma, countries in the Leeward Island are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Jose.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, St Martin and St Maarten while a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saba and St Eustatius.

At 8 p.m. the eye of Hurricane Jose was located near latitude 15.6 North, longitude 53.2 West.

Jose is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h). 

The hurricane is expected to continue on this heading with a slight decrease in forward speed during the next couple of days. 

On the forecast track, Jose is expected to be near the northern Leeward Islands on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts. 

Jose is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or so.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 966 mb (28.53 inches).(NB)