Hurricane Maria rampaged through Puerto Rico, causing severe flooding and destruction, but where will the hurricane head next?

For days, spaghetti and other models have shown Maria turning north and missing Florida and the southeastern seaboard. Some of the models then showed that the northeastern United States could be in potential peril from the storm, although this was not by any means certain. The models are projections, and the storm could continue to shift.

However, what do the models show for Thursday, September 21?

The latest spaghetti models project that the storm will miss the United States coastline, and they continue to show that it’s moving away from the coast. Here’s the September 21 spaghetti model from the South Florida Waste Management District.

For comparison purposes, this is how the storm looked two days before:

Cyclocane is a great site to get updated spaghetti model paths for Hurricane Maria. The site’s spaghetti model for Maria on September 21 shows a similar northern track for Maria away from the American coast.

Here are some of the other recent models for Maria. Some of them show strands of the storm coming close to the U.S., but not hitting it in full force.

Puerto Rico was devastated and left without power.

The storm was passing offshore of the Dominican Republic on September 21. Here’s the forecast cone from Thursday from the National Hurricane Center:

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of September 21:

“…MARIA’S LARGE EYE PASSING OFFSHORE OF THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC…

SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST…1200 UTC…INFORMATION

 ———————————————-

 LOCATION…19.9N 68.7W

 ABOUT 95 MI…150 KM NNW OF PUNTA CANA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 ABOUT 190 MI…305 KM SE OF GRAND TURK ISLAND

 MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…115 MPH…185 KM/H

 PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 9 MPH…15 KM/H

 MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…959 MB…28.32 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

 ——————–

 CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the central Bahamas.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…

 * Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Puerto Plata

 * Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

 * Dominican Republic west of Puerto Plata to the northern border of

 the Dominican Republic and Haiti

 * Dominican Republic west of Cabo Engano to Punta Palenque

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

 * Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to Cabo Engano</s>The NHC warned that the “large eye of Hurricane Maria” is just 80miles (130km) east-southeast of Grand Turk Island. The 8pm EDT update from the NHC added Hurricane Maria is around 85miles northeast of Puerto Plata, in the Dominica Republic, which it devastated with flooding earlier on Thursday. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Puerto Plata as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Warning is in place for the Dominican Republic from west of Puerto Plata to the northern border of the DR and Haiti.

A Tropical Storm watch is in effect for central Bahamas. The NHC said: “At 8pm EDT/AST (12am UTC), the large eye of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 20.9 North, longitude 70.0 West. “Maria is moving toward the northwest near 9mph (15kmph), and this general motion is expected to continue through tonight. A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast early Friday, with that motion continuing through Saturday. “On the forecast track, Maria's eye will continue to pass offshore of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic this evening, and then move near or just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas later tonight and on Friday.”

"Preliminary reports from an Air Force reconnaissance plane indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to around 125mph (205kmph) with higher gusts. “Maria is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in strength is expected during the next couple of days.” “Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70miles (110km) from the centre, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160miles (260km). It continued: “Hurricane and tropical storm conditions continue across portions of the Dominican Republic.

“Tropical storm conditions are beginning to spread across the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, and hurricane conditions are expected tonight or early Friday. “Tropical storm conditions are possible in the central Bahamas beginning late Friday. "A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels in the hurricane warning area in the Dominican Republic, and 1 to 3 ft elsewhere along the northern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. “ A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels within the hurricane warning area of the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.”</s>COLUMBIA, SC (WLTX) - Hurricane Maria is finally beginning to move away from Puerto Rico, after hitting the island with high-powered winds all day long.

As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, maximum sustained winds has dropped to 110 miles an hour, meaning it is now classified as a Category 2 hurricane. At its peak a day earlier, it had max winds of 175 miles an hour and was a Category 5.

Maria is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph, and this general motion with a gradual decrease in forward speed is expected through early Friday.

Now that it's moving back over water, it's expected to get stronger.

Maria is forecast to pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic overnight and then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.

As always, we know people want to know what the storm could do down the road to the U.S., and more We know a lot of you are wondering if this storm is going to impact South Carolina. Here's the thing, and we're going to underscore this:

At this time, it is far too early to determine if there will be impacts on the state of South Carolina.

There are no watches or warnings in the state, and we are not in any 'cone of uncertainty.'

Remember, the reason the National Hurricane Center only puts out a five-day cone is because beyond that point, the models get much less accurate. Even at four and five days, there's uncertainty. (Which is why you see the 'cone' get bigger as toward the end.)

Understand, the computer models keep shifting, and will shift again in the coming days. We saw that with Irma, and frankly speaking, any storm that forms in the Atlantic. As new data comes in, the models shift.

So again, anyone who is telling you right now "here's exactly how this storm will affect the US/South Carolina" can't really do that yet.

As always, our weather team will be keeping you up-to-date on the storm. You'll be able to fine those here on WLTX.com, on air, and on our Facebook page and by following us on Twitter @WLTX</s>Maria regained major hurricane strength near the eastern Dominican Republic early on Thursday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale was about 55 miles (90 km) north of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h), the NHC said.

On the forecast track, the core of Maria will continue to move away from Puerto Rico during the next several hours, and then pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic early on Thursday, the Miami-based weather forecaster said.</s>Hurricane Maria thrashed parts of the Dominican Republic with heavy rain and high winds as it passed near its east and north coasts early Thursday after making a direct hit on Puerto Rico that caused severe flooding and cut power to the entire island.

Maria has killed at least 10 people as it rages through the Caribbean, the second major hurricane to do so this month, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said it was headed toward the Turks and Caicos Islands later Thursday and the southeastern Bahamas, bringing dangerous storm surges and torrential rain.

It ripped roofs off almost all structures on the island country of Dominica, where seven people were confirmed dead. The toll is expected to climb when searches resume at daybreak.

Maria was ranked a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of up to 250 km/h when it hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday. It is the strongest storm to hit the U.S. territory in nearly 90 years.

It ripped apart homes, snapped power lines and turned roadways into torrents laden with debris as it cut a diagonal swath across the island.

The entire island of 3.4 million people was under a flash flood warning early on Thursday as the storm was forecast to dump 50 to 76 centimetres of rain on much of Puerto Rico through Friday, according to the NHC.

The island's governor, Ricardo Rossello, said the only fatality immediately reported was a man struck by a piece of lumber hurled by high winds.

"It's nothing short of a major disaster," Rossello said in a CNN interview, adding it may take months for the island's electricity to be completely restored.

Maria weakened as it went over land in Puerto Rico but picked up strength again early Thursday as it passed over warm Caribbean waters.

The Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h was about 110 kilometres north of Punta Cana, on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, at 5 a.m. ET, the NHC said.

Punta Cana, a popular tourist area, was hit with wind gusts of 93 km/h and Maria was forecast to bring storm surges — when hurricanes push ocean water dangerously over normal levels — of up to 1.8 metres in the Dominican Republic, it said.

Maria is expected to pick up strength as it churns toward the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. Storm surges on those islands could be as high as 3.6 metres, the centre said.

Maria would then move north in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. There was no indication Thursday morning as to whether it would hit the continental United States.

It was classified a Category 5 storm when it struck Dominica on Monday night with devastating force.

Based on an aerial survey, about 95 per cent of roofs in Dominica, one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean with a population of about 73,000, were damaged or destroyed by Maria, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. It said damage to the island could be in the billions of dollars.

Passing early Wednesday just west of St. Croix, home to about 55,000 people, Maria damaged an estimated 65 per cent to 70 per cent of the island's buildings, said Holland Redfield, who served six terms in the U.S. Virgin Islands senate.</s>Hurricane Maria remains a Category 2 storm as it gradually moves away from Puerto Rico.

The National Hurricane Center says conditions were deteriorating over the Eastern Dominican Republic Wednesday night.

The storm's maximum sustained winds were at 110 mph at 8 p.m., but the storm is expected to re-strengthen into a major hurricane by Thursday.

Live 5 Weather Forecaster Jordan Wilkerson said Wednesday night most of the forecast models show Maria staying away from the South Carolina coast.

"So far the models are in consensus showing a trend of veering away from the southeast coast," Wilkerson said. "We'll continue to monitor the storm for any changes."

At 8 p.m., the eye of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 18.9 North, longitude 67.5 West.

Maria is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph, and this general motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through Thursday night. A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast on Friday.

On the forecast track, the center of Maria will continue to move away from the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico Wednesday evening. The center will then pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic Wednesday night and Thursday and then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or two, and Maria could regain major hurricane status by Thursday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles. The minimum central pressure based on data from the Air Force aircraft is 957 mb.

The forecast track shows the storm remaining well off the South Carolina coastline, however the cone of uncertainty at the point that it would be near South Carolina currently varies by 250 miles toward the coastline.

Some computer models show the storm making a northeasterly turn toward New England which is still dealing with effects of Hurricane Jose.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
• Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
• Dominican Republic west of Puerto Plata to the northern border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Jose downgraded to tropical storm, remnants of Lee could redevelop

As tropical storm warnings for portions of New England continue, Jose remains a strong tropical storm.

At 5 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Jose was located near latitude 39.2 North, longitude 69.1 West, about 145 miles south-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph.

On the forecast track, the center of Jose is expected to meander off the coast of southern New England during the next few days.

Forecasters tracking the remnants of Lee say showers and thunderstorms have not become any better organized over the past few hours, but say that redevelopment is likely. The low was expected to move northward over the central Atlantic Ocean during the next few days, and there is a 60 percent chance of development over the next 48 hours.</s>SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Maria (all times local):

Hurricane Maria is lashing the northeastern Dominican Republic early Thursday and is expected to pass near the Turks and Caicos later in the day.

The Category 3 storm’s maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 kph) and the U.S. National Hurricane Center says some strengthening is possible during the next day or so.

Maria, which has killed at least 10 people across the Caribbean, is centered about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and is moving northwest near 9 mph (15 kph).

Meanwhile, Puerto Ricans are rebuilding after the hurricane slammed into the U.S. territory Wednesday, crushing concrete balconies and paralyzing the island with landslides, flooding and downed trees.

Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans stunned by a hurricane that crushed concrete balconies and paralyzed the island with landslides, flooding and downed trees vowed to slowly rebuild amid an economic crisis as rescue crews fanned out across the U.S. territory.

The extent of the damage is unknown given that dozens of municipalities remain isolated and without communication after Maria hit the island Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in over 80 years.

Uprooted trees and widespread flooding blocked many highways and streets across the island, creating a maze that forced drivers to go against traffic and past police cars that used loudspeakers to warn people they must respect a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed by the governor to ensure everyone’s safety.</s>The Latest on Hurricane Maria (all times local):

Hurricane Maria is lashing the northeastern Dominican Republic early Thursday and is expected to pass near the Turks and Caicos later in the day.

The Category 3 storm’s maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 kph) and the U.S. National Hurricane Center says some strengthening is possible during the next day or so.

Maria, which has killed at least 10 people across the Caribbean, is centered about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and is moving northwest near 9 mph (15 kph).

Meanwhile, Puerto Ricans are rebuilding after the hurricane slammed into the U.S. territory Wednesday, crushing concrete balconies and paralyzing the island with landslides, flooding and downed trees.

Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans stunned by a hurricane that crushed concrete balconies and paralyzed the island with landslides, flooding and downed trees vowed to slowly rebuild amid an economic crisis as rescue crews fanned out across the U.S. territory.

The extent of the damage is unknown given that dozens of municipalities remain isolated and without communication after Maria hit the island Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in over 80 years.

Uprooted trees and widespread flooding blocked many highways and streets across the island, creating a maze that forced drivers to go against traffic and past police cars that used loudspeakers to warn people they must respect a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed by the governor to ensure everyone’s safety.</s>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After battering Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria is now lashing northeastern Dominican Republic.

At 5 a.m., the center of the Category 3 hurricane was about 70 miles north of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Maria was moving to the northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles. Punta Cana in the eastern Dominican Republic recently reported a wind gust to 56 mph.

A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast on Friday. On the forecast track, the eye of Hurricane Maria will continue to pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic today. Maria should then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas tonight and Friday.

Some strengthening is possible during the next day or so.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…

 * Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Puerto Plata

 * Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

 * Dominican Republic west of Puerto Plata to the northern border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti

 * Dominican Republic west of Cabo Engano to Punta Palenque

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

 * Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to Cabo Engano

Strong gusty winds are still occurring over portions of Puerto Rico, but should continue to gradually subside this morning.

 Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are continuing across portions of the warning areas in the Dominican Republic. Hurricane conditions are expected to begin in portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning in these areas later today.

A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels in the hurricane warning area in the Dominican Republic, and 1 to 3 ft elsewhere along the northern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels within the hurricane warning area of the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Maria is expected to produce the following rainfall accumulations through Saturday:

*Puerto Rico…additional 4 to 8 inches, isolated maximum storm total amounts 35 inches.

 *U.S. and British Virgin Islands…additional 2 to 4 inches.

 *Northern and eastern Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and Mayaguana in southeast Bahamas…8 to 16 inches, isolated 20 inches.

 *Inagua Islands, Crooked Island, and rest of southeast Bahamas…4 to 8 inches.

 *Northern Haiti…2 to 4 inches.

Rainfall on these islands will continue to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
• Click here for ways to prepare yourself for an impending storm from our Hurricane Preps page
• Click here for latest news surrounding hurricanes and the National Hurricane Center
• Click here to see all of the latest maps when a storm forms in the Atlantic
• Click here to download the CBS4 2017 Hurricane Guide (English)</s>Maria, which weakened into a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday, could regain major hurricane status by Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory.

Catastrophic flash flooding was occurring over portions of Puerto Rico with conditions now deteriorating over the eastern Dominican Republic, the NHC said.

The hurricane was about 25 miles (45 km) north northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico with maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour (175 km per hour), the Miami-based NHC said. Any hurricane with top sustained winds of at least 111 is classified as major. 

 

 

 (Reporting by Swati Verma in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Brown)
Now a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (180 km/h), Maria is moving toward the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, and is forecast to affect the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and northern Haiti Friday.