This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time.
The situation
According to the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane centre, Tropical Storm Matthew’s centre is moving in a westerly direction at a speed of 21 mph (33 km/h). The storm is forecasted to remain on its westward trajectory, albeit with a decreased forward speed, for the next few days. Matthew’s storm centre is expected to move through the Windward Islands over the next couple of hours and move over the eastern Caribbean through Friday, 30 September 2016. According to reports from a United States Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft, the maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h), with higher gusts.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outwards up to 205 miles (335 km, primarily to the north-east of the centre, and Matthew’s central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches). The storm is expected to gradually strengthen over the next few days, possibly becoming a hurricane by Friday.
Tropical Storm Matthew is forecasted to spread over the Caribbean’s southern Leeward Islands and northern Windward Islands within the next few hours and into the evening. The storm is expected to generate total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches across the Windward Islands and southern portions of the Leeward Islands through Thursday, 29 September 2016; these rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Additionally, rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected farther to the north into the northern Leeward Islands, as well as the parts of the United States and the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the French Islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique and the countries of Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands. Curacao, Aruba and elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles have been advised to monitor Matthew’s progress.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action All of the Caribbean National Societies in the storm’s path have activated their disaster response mechanisms, and they are currently monitoring the situation.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
All of the Caribbean National Societies in the storm’s path have activated their disaster response mechanisms, and they are currently monitoring the situation.