UPDATE: Matthew still aiming for Bahamas, watches, warnings go up

• HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND MATTHEW IS STILL A 140-MPH HURRICANE

• LIFE-THREATENING RAIN, WIND, STORM SURGE EXPECTED IN PORTIONS OF HAITI

FIVE DAY CONE. (WeatherUnderground)

The government of the Bahamas has issued a Hurricane Warning for
the Central Bahamas, including Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay, San
Salvador, and Cat Island, and a Hurricane Watch for the northwestern
Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Bimini,
Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence.

At 800 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located
near latitude 16.6 North, longitude 74.6 West. Matthew is moving
toward the north-northeast near 8 mph (13 km/h).  A turn back
toward the north at a faster forward speed is expected later tonight
through Tuesday night. A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast
on Wednesday.  On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will
approach southwestern Haiti tonight, move near eastern Cuba late
Tuesday, and move near or over portions of the southeastern and
central Bahamas Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Matthew is a dangerous 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 Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185
miles (295 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 940 mb (27.76 inches).



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

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Cuban province of Camaguey
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry
Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence

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

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Dominican Republic from Puerto Plata westward to the border with
Haiti

Interests elsewhere in Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and in the Florida
Peninsula and the Florida Keys should monitor the progress of
Matthew.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area.  A warning is typically issued
36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-
force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.  Preparations to protect life and property should be
rushed to completion.

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.