Matthew is now a Category 5 Hurricane

At 11:00 PM today the National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Matthew to a Category 5 hurricane. This makes Matthew the strongest storm since 2007. Matthew is now 440 miles southeast of Kingston Jamaica.

Matthew is moving toward the southwest at 7 mph and is expected to slow through tomorrow. A turn toward the northwest is expected Saturday night or on Sunday.

A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast on Saturday, followed by a turn toward the northwest on Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will move north of the Guajira Peninsula tonight, move across the central Caribbean Sea on Saturday, and be approaching Jamaica late Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 160 mph with higher gusts. Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Sunday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the warning area in Colombia through tonight. Hurricane conditions are possible on Jamaica on Monday, with tropical storm conditions possible by late Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in Haiti by late Sunday.

Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected over Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Colombia from the Venezuelan border to Riohacha. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Venezuela from Coro to the Colombian border.

Rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches are expected across Jamaica and southern and southwestern Haiti. These rains may produce life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides.

Swells generated by Matthew are expected to affect portions of the coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, and Colombia during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The National Hurricane Center will issue the next intermediate advisory at 2:00 AM EST. The next complete advisory at 5:00 AM EST.