000 WTNT34 KNHC 282349 TCPAT4 BULLETIN TROPICAL STORM MATTHEW INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 2A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL142016 800 PM AST WED SEP 28 2016 ...MATTHEW STILL BATTERING MARTINIQUE AND NEARBY ISLANDS... ...FORECAST TO MOVE WESTWARD AND STRENGTHEN ACROSS THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA... SUMMARY OF 800 PM AST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...13.9N 62.4W ABOUT 90 MI...145 KM W OF ST. LUCIA ABOUT 455 MI...735 KM ENE OF CURACAO MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...100 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB...29.65 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Guadeloupe and Martinique * St. Lucia * Dominica, Barbados, St. Vincent, and the Grenadine Islands A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 36 to 48 hours. Interests along the coast of Venezuela and Colombia should monitor the progress of Matthew. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 800 PM AST (0000 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Matthew was located near latitude 13.9 North, longitude 62.4 West. Matthew's forward speed has decreased, and the storm is now moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h). A westward motion with some additional decrease in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will continue to move away from the Windward Islands this evening, and be over the eastern and central Caribbean Sea through Friday. Data from a reconnaissance plane indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected during the next couple of days, and Matthew is forecast to become a hurricane by Friday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km) primarily to the northeast of the center. A wind gust to 89 mph (143 km/h) was reported at St. Pierre, Martinique within the past few hours. The minimum central pressure just estimated by an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft was 1004 mb (29.65 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions will continue through this evening over the southern Leeward Islands and northern Windward Islands within the warning area. Tropical storm conditions are possible in Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba, beginning late Thursday. RAINFALL: Matthew is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches across the Windward Islands and southern portions of the Leeward Islands through Thursday. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected farther to the north into the northern Leeward Islands, including the United States and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected over Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao through Friday. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Avila