Image credited to Mapbox, Weatherunderground
Tropical Storm Matthew continues to become better organized this morning on satellite imagery. The reconnaissance mission (aircraft investigation of the system) overnight indicated that the pressure continues to gradually drop with Matthew. Matthew will likely become a hurricane later today due to favorable conditions in the atmosphere and warm sea surface temperatures. Steady strengthening is predicted over the next few days as Matthew tracks into the Caribbean.
According to the 8am advisory from the National Hurricane Center(NHC), the centre of Tropical Storm Matthew was located near latitude 14.1 North, longitude 65.5 West. Matthew is moving towards the west near 16 mph, and a general westward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles, primarily to the north and east of the centre.
On the forecast track, the centre of Matthew is expected to pass to the north of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao through Friday.
The central location of Matthew is approximately 350 miles South-south west of the Virgin Islands. However, due to size of the storm, the Antigua and Barbuda Met Service has indicated that trailing cloudiness with embedded showers and windy conditions will continue to affect the territory, bringing moderate to rough seas with wave heights between 1.5 to 2.4 metres or 5 to 8 feet. A small craft and sea bathers warning remain in effect.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.
