2PM UPDATE: Hurricane Matthew aiming for Cuba; Watches, Warnings up for All Of Bahamas

• EYE OF EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE MATTHEW EXPECTED TO HIT FAR EASTERN CUBA HARD LATER TODAY

FIVE DAY CONE. (WeatherUnderground)

At 200 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located
in the Windward Passage near latitude 19.4 North, longitude 74.3
West. Matthew is moving toward the north near 10 mph (17 km/h). On
this track the eye of Matthew will move over the extreme portion of
eastern Cuba later this afternoon.  A turn toward the north-
northwest is expected by Wednesday, followed by a northwest turn
Wednesday night. Matthew is expected to move near or over portions
of the southeastern and central Bahamas tonight and Wednesday, and
approach the northwestern Bahamas Wednesday night.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 145 mph (230 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Matthew is a 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 at least Wednesday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185
miles (295 km). Data from the Cuban Meteorological Institute
indicate that winds of tropical storm force are already affecting
portions of eastern Cuba.

The minimum central pressure recently reported by an Air Force
reconnaissance plane was 949 mb (28.02 inches).

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SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Haiti
* Cuban provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Granma,
and Las Tunas
* Southeastern Bahamas, including the Inaguas, Mayaguana, Acklins,
Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island
* Central Bahamas, including Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay,
San Salvador, and Cat Island
* Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island,
Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and
New Providence

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Cuban province of Camaguey
* Deerfield Beach to the Volusia/Brevard county line

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Dominican Republic from Barahona westward to the border with Haiti
* Turks and Caicos Islands

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Dominican Republic from Puerto Plata westward to the border with
Haiti
* Seven Mile Bridge to south of Deerfield Beach
* Lake Okeechobee

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