A HURRICANE WATCH is now in effect for Jamaica as dangerous Hurricane Matthew strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane and models predict a turn towards Jamaica on Sunday.

This means that the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected to affect Jamaica by Monday:
- Dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less than hurricane force;
- Average winds 64 knots (118 km/h) or higher;

At 4:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Matthew was located near Latitude 13.5 degrees North, Longitude 71.6 degrees West, or about 710 kilometres (445 miles) southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Punta Gallinas, Colombia.

Matthew is moving towards the west-southwest near 15 km/h (9 mph) and a westward motion at a slower forward speed is expected later today and tonight. A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast by Saturday night, followed by a turn toward the northwest by early Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds have further increased to near 220 km/h (140 mph), with higher gusts, making Matthew now a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is possible tonight, and some fluctuations in intensity are possible Saturday and Sunday. Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Sunday.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 55 km (35 miles) from the centre and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 315 km (195 miles).

On its forecast track, the centre of Matthew will remain over the south-central Caribbean Sea through Saturday before turning towards Jamaica’s territorial waters on Sunday morning. Sea conditions associated with the hurricane will gradually deteriorate over the next 36-48 hours with northeasterly winds reaching gale force. All small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.

The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system and all interests must pay special attention to further Releases.

The next Bulletin on Hurricane Matthew will be issued at 8:00 p.m. today