8PM UPDATE: Matthew weakens, expected to be short-lived

• RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT REPORT THAT MATTHEW HAS WEAKENED SLIGHTLY
• INTENSIFICATION EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT, THURSDAY

FIVE DAY CONE. (WeatherUnderground)

At 800 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located
near latitude 23.0 North, longitude 76.0 West.  Matthew is moving
toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this motion is
expected to continue during the next 24 to 48 hours. On this track,
Matthew will be moving across the Bahamas tonight and tomorrow, and
is expected to be very near the east coast of Florida by tomorrow
night.

Reports from NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 115
mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts.  Matthew is a category 3 hurricane
on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  The recent weakening
is likely to be short-lived, as Matthew as expected to intensify
later tonight and Thursday.  The hurricane is expected to remain at
a category 3 or stronger intensity while it moves through the
Bahamas and approaches the east coast of Florida.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175
miles (280 km).

The minimum central pressure reported by the Hurricane Hunter
aircraft is 962 mb (28.41 inches).
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* 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
* North of Golden Beach to the Flagler/Volusia county line
* Lake Okeechobee

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* North of the Flagler/Volusia county line to Savannah River

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Chokoloskee to Golden Beach
* Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge eastward
* Florida Bay

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* North of Chokoloskee to Suwannee River

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.