MATTHEW BUMPED UP TO A CAT 4 HURRICANE

• MATTHEW RAPIDLY STRENGTHENS TO A POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE
• HURRICANE WATCH ISSUED FOR JAMAICA

Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum

sustained winds have increased to near 140 mph (220 km/h) with
higher gusts.  Matthew is a CATEGORY FOUR 4  hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some additional strengthening is
possible tonight, and some fluctuations in intensity are possible
Saturday and Sunday.  Matthew is expected to remain a powerful
hurricane through Sunday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.

The latest minimum central pressure based on data from the NOAA
aircraft is 949 mb (28.03 inches).



The government of Jamaica has issued a Hurricane Watch for Jamaica.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the southwestern coast
of Haiti from the southern border with the Dominican Republic to
Port-Au-Prince.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Jamaica

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Colombia/Venezuela border to Riohacha

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Haiti from the southern border with the Dominican Republic to
Port-Au-Prince

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.  A watch is typically issued 48 hours before
the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds,
conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case in the
next 12 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.


Interests elsewhere along the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia and
elsewhere in Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Matthew.
Interests in eastern Cuba should also monitor the progress of
Matthew.