Hurricane Matthew is seen here in AVN Color Infrared Loop satellite imagery. Photo courtesy of NOAA

Hurricane Matthew is projected by the National Hurricane Center to reach Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas as at least a Category 2 hurricane. Map by National Weather Service

MIAMI, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The National Hurricane Center upgraded Matthew to a hurricane Thursday afternoon and said it is projected to hit Jamaica, and then Cuba and the Bahamas.

The fifth Atlantic hurricane of the season and 13th storm was about 190 miles northeast of Curacao and was traveling west at 15 mph with 75 mph sustained winds, according to the center. Storms become hurricanes when they hit 74 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. Tropical-storm-force winds are up to 205 miles outward.

According to the hurricane center, Matthew was expected to strengthen gradually over the next 48 hours and then turn northwestward.

Tropical storm conditions Thursday are possible in Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba, according to the center. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected over those areas through Saturday.

The center warned it could bring life-threatening mudslides and flash floods to the Lesser Antilles -- the string of smaller islands of the eastern Caribbean -- on Thursday.

Up to 2 inches of rain is forecast to fall in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

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Residents of Jamaica, Haiti and eastern Cuba should anticipate the possibility of at least a Category 2 hurricane early next week, according to Weather Underground.

Matthew is projected to reach the Bahamas on Tuesday. It was uncertain whether it would hit Florida.

"The exact track is, of course, still uncertain," senior National Hurricane Center specialist Richard Pasch told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "We have differing computer models that are showing some different solutions. We do think it's going to strengthen."

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On Wednesday, Matthew pounded Barbados with heavy winds.</s>000 WTNT34 KNHC 240234 TCPAT4 BULLETIN Post-Tropical Cyclone Chantal Advisory Number 13 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL042019 1100 PM AST Fri Aug 23 2019 ...CHANTAL BECOMES A REMNANT LOW... ...THIS IS THE LAST ADVISORY... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...35.6N 40.9W ABOUT 785 MI...1265 KM W OF THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH...45 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...S OR 185 DEGREES AT 6 MPH...9 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1014 MB...29.95 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Chantal was located near latitude 35.6 North, longitude 40.9 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the south near 6 mph (9 km/h). A turn toward the southwest and west is expected over the weekend, followed by a slow motion toward the northwest Sunday night and Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is anticipated and Chantal is forecast to dissipate on Monday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1014 mb (29.95 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- This is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on Chantal. Additional information on this system can be found in High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service, under AWIPS header NFDHSFAT1, WMO header FZNT01 KWBC, and online at ocean.weather.gov/shtml/NFDHSFAT1.php $$ Forecaster Zelinsky</s>(CNN) Here is a look at the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season .



The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The areas covered include the North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

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Last Look: Can you control a hurricane? 01:29

Last Look: Can you control a hurricane?

The National Weather Service defines a hurricane as "an intense tropical weather system with well-defined circulation and sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher."

Hurricanes are rated according to intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

A indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours.

A indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours.

Hurricane Alex

January 14, 2016 - Subtropical Storm Alex develops into a hurricane, the first hurricane to form in January since 1938.

January 15, 2016 - Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm Bonnie

May 28, 2016 - Tropical Storm Bonnie develops about 120 miles southeast of South Carolina.

May 29, 2016 - Downgraded to a tropical depression before making landfall near Charleston, South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Danielle

June 20, 2016 - Tropical Storm Danielle forms in the Bay of Campeche, and later makes landfall north of Tuxpan, Mexico. Danielle is the earliest fourth-named Atlantic storm on record.

June 21, 2016 - Dissipates over east-central Mexico.

Tropical Storm Fiona

August 18, 2016 - Tropical Storm Fiona forms over the central Atlantic.

August 21, 2016 - Weakens to a tropical depression without making landfall.

Hurricane Gaston

August 22, 2016 - Tropical Storm Gaston forms about 450 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

August 25, 2016 - Gaston becomes a Category 1 hurricane and later weakens to a tropical storm.

August 27, 2016 - Gaston strengthens back into a Category 1 hurricane about 655 miles east-southeast of Bermuda.

August 28, 2016 - Intensifies into a Category 3 hurricane.

Hurricane Hermine

August 31, 2016 - Tropical Storm Hermine forms about 395 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida.

September 1, 2016 - Strengthens to a hurricane.

September 2, 2016 - east of St. Marks, Florida. At least one man dies during the storm when he is struck by a tree in Marion County. Hermine weakens to a tropical storm later in the day.

September 3, 2016 - One person dies when a tractor-trailer overturns while crossing a bridge in eastern North Carolina amid high winds from Hermine. Tropical Storm Hermine forms about 395 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida.Strengthens to a hurricane. Hermine makes landfall east of St. Marks, Florida. At least one man dies during the storm when he is struck by a tree in Marion County. Hermine weakens to a tropical storm later in the day.One person dies when a tractor-trailer overturns while crossing a bridge in eastern North Carolina amid high winds from Hermine.

Tropical Storm Ian

September 12, 2016 - Tropical Storm Ian forms over the central Atlantic Ocean.

September 16, 2016 - Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm Julia

September 13, 2016 - Tropical Storm Julia forms over the northeastern coast of Florida.

September 16, 2016 - Weakens to a tropical depression off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Karl

September 15, 2016 - Tropical Storm Karl forms over the far eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. 

September 25, 2016 - Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone over the north Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical Storm Lisa

September 20, 2016 - Tropical Storm Lisa forms over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. 

September 24, 2016 - Weakens to a tropical depression.</s>BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (Reuters) – Tropical Storm Matthew brought flooding and felled trees to islands in the eastern Caribbean yesterday and forecasters said the 13th cyclone of the 2016 Atlantic season would reach hurricane force later this week.

Matthew moved over the Windward Islands, causing flooding in coastal areas of volcanic St. Lucia and knocking out power lines and trees in Barbados.

Airports in tourist hotspots Barbados and St Lucia were closed because of the storm, which the U.S. National Hurricane Center said packed maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph).

“Strengthening is expected during the next couple of days, and Matthew is forecast to become a hurricane by tomorrow,” before possibly turning towards Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, the Miami-based centre said. In Barbados, which is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands and rarely suffers major storms, schools, courts and businesses closed yesterday, as resident hunkered down for the first big storm since 2010.

“We ask all persons to remain indoors for your safety,” said Kerry Hinds, the director of the Department of Emergency Management.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect in Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, St. Vincent, and the Grenadine Islands, the Hurricane Center said.

The Dutch Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba – home to Venezuelan oil refineries and storage terminals – were on storm watch, the center said.

It warned that expected rainfall of up to 8 inches (20.32 cm) could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides as the storm makes its way across the region.</s>Santo Domingo.- Tropical Storm Matthew has formed next to the Windward Islands with winds of 95kph and is expected to become a hurricane Friday, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center US (NHC) announced Wednesday.

Dominican Republic’s Weather Bureau said TS Matthew will affect the country on Friday.

On Wednesday the islands of Guadeloupe, Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent & Grenadines, St. Lucia and Martinique posted tropical storm warnings.

The tropical is currently around 35 miles (55 kilometers) southeast of St. Lucia.</s>BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Tropical Storm Matthew has formed in the eastern Caribbean and is lashing the Windward Islands with heavy rain and wind.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Matthew has sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) as it moves west. It's expected to bring rainfall of 4-8 inches (up to 15 ) across the Windward Islands and the southern portion of the Leeward Islands.

Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for Guadeloupe, Martinique, Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. Schools and most public offices have been closed across the region due to the storm.

Matthew was about 35 miles (55 ) east-northeast of St. Vincent and was moving west at 21 mph (33 kph) at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday.</s>Santo Domingo.- An active tropical wave near the Windward Islands, Lesser Antilles, with a 90% chance of becoming a cyclone, will affect Dominican Republic on Friday and the weekend, the National Weather Office forecast on Wednesday.

It said it monitors the displacement of the system associated with a tropical disturbance located some 200 kilometers east / southeast of the Windward Islands, moving quickly westward around 28 kph.

For its part the National Hurricane Center in Miami says the system’s winds are from 40 to 45 kph.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicate that the strong tropical wave located near Barbados is producing winds of 40 to 45 mph. Regardless of whether or not the system becomes a tropical storm before it moves through the Lesser Antilles, tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rains will spread across Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia today.

Satellite and surface observations suggest that the circulation associated with the system has become better defined, and the reconnaissance aircraft is beginning its mission to determine if a tropical storm has formed.

The system is moving westward to west-northwestward at around 15 mph, and is expected to pass over the Lesser Antilles later today, and move over the southeastern Caribbean Sea tonight and Thursday.

Interests in the Windward and southern Leeward Islands should consult products issued by your national meteorological service, including possible tropical storm warnings or watches.</s>KAILUA-KONA — Tropical Storm Ulika continues to weaken Wednesday morning far east-southeast of the Big Island.

Shortly before 11 a.m. Hawaii time, Ulika was packing 60 mph winds and tracking north at 7 mph about 1,125 miles east-southeast of Hilo. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward just 45 miles from the storm’s center, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, which is monitoring the storm after it re-entered the Eastern Pacific basin Tuesday.

The now-tropical storm had seen a spat of intensification late Tuesday, reaching hurricane status with 75 mph winds before starting to weaken early Wednesday as wind shear picked up in the area.

Forecasters expect the storm to continue weakening and will likely downgrade Ulika to a remnant low by Friday.

Behind Ulika, Tropical Depression Roslyn also continues to weaken. Located several hundred miles off the southern tip of Baja California, the weather system was packing 60 mph winds as it headed north at 7 mph. Forecasters expect to downgrade Roslyn to a remnant low pressure area Wednesday evening.</s>6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, Japan time: Chaba has been upgraded to a tropical storm. It's continuing to move west away from the Marianas, and remains on track for a near-direct hit on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, come Monday evening, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

 

 At 3 p.m., Chaba was 228 miles west-northwest of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, headed west at 16 mph, with sustained 46-mph winds and 58-mph gusts at center.

 

 If Chaba remains on its current course, it's due to pass almost directly over Kadena at 6 p.m. Monday, at its forecast wind peak of 110-mph sustained winds and 132-mph gusts at center.

 

 Model guidance has come into slightly better agreement on a curve northeast toward Japan's main islands next week. But not much better; a vast spread yet remains. The biggest questions center around the curve's timing and Chaba's forecast intensity. PST remains on it.

 

 

 Noon Thursday, Sept. 29, Japan time: Which way will it go?

 

 That remains the question in the long term regarding Chaba, which remains a tropical depression as it tracks away from Guam. Chaba was still holding steady at 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts at center, 157 miles west-northwest of Andersen Air Force Base as of 9 a.m.

 

 One thing on which model guidance agrees: Chaba will eventually turn north and northeast toward Japan's main islands.

 

 But exactly where and how soon that curve takes place? Or will it curve at all?

 

 That's hard to say. And it gives a picture of just how unpredictable tropical cyclones -- or any form of weather -- can be.

 

 Models are suggesting anywhere between a straight run toward Taiwan (again!), to finally giving Okinawa its long-awaited "big one" that the island has avoided all season, to sharply curving northeast, even bypassing Japan's main islands.

 

 The only thing certain ... remains uncertainty.

 

 For the moment, Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects a path that would take Chaba 16 miles west of Kadena Air Base at 7 p.m. Monday, packing 98-mph sustained winds and 121-mph gusts at center -- equal to a Category 2 hurricane in the States.

 

 But all that could change. Very good chance of it changing, and repeatedly, as Chaba enters its second day as a tropical cyclone. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, Japan time: The flood watch for the Marianas islands has been canceled, according to the National Weather Service on Guam.

 

 

 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, Japan time: Tropical storm watch has been canceled for the Marianas Islands but a flash flood watch remains in effect.

Chaba remains a tropical depression for the moment, but is expected to begin intensifying as it moves west and away from the Marianas islands, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

At 3 a.m., Chaba was 77 miles northwest of Andersen Air Force Base, moving west at 13 mph, still holding steady at 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts.

It’s forecast to be come a tropical storm by afternoon, and remains on course to pass 21 miles west of Kadena Air Base at 4 p.m. Monday, packing 98-mph sustained winds and 121-mph gusts at center.

There remains a spread among model solutions, most agreeing on a curve northeast toward Japan’s main islands, but a question of timing and location remains.

The extended outlook from Shogunweather.com, Kadena’s 18th Wing Weather Flight Web site, calls for gusts up to 85 mph on Monday with a 50-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

12:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, Guam time: Chaba’s forecast peak intensity has bumped up slightly; it’s expected to cap at 110-mph sustained winds and 132-mph gusts at center as it approaches Okinawa, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

But will it? That remains the $64,000 question. The latest JTWC update also states that the spread among model solutions – where Chaba will actually go – has also increased to a cool 75- miles. Fairly vast. Stretching from Taiwan to Japan’s main islands. And it’s still early in the life of a storm, less than a day old. Thus, the only thing certain … is uncertainty.

At 10 p.m., Chaba was 37 miles north-northeast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, tracking west at 21 mph, still packing 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts at center. Wind and sideways rain continue to pelt the Marianas islands, and it’s expected to continue through later Thursday morning, perhaps afternoon as well.

If it remains on its forecast track – a big if, at this point – Chaba should pass 22 miles west of Kadena Air Base at about 2 p.m. Monday, packing sustained 104-mph winds and 127-mph gusts at center as it roars past. All of this can change, pending Chaba’s intensity and track.

7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, Guam time: Next up on Tropical Depression Chaba's itinerary: Okinawa, if the latest Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecast track offers up an indication.

 If it remains on its current course, Chaba should be 63 miles south of Kadena Air Base at mid-afternoon Monday as a Category 2-equivalent typhoon, packing 104-mph sustained winds and 127-mph gusts at center.

 Model guidance has come into slightly better agreement on a curve northeast toward Japan's main islands.

 But there remains a vast spread, of 575 miles at this point, regarding the timing of such a curve and how close Chaba might actually come to Okinawa. That remains to be seen.

 For the moment, Guam remains Chaba's first target. Tropical storm watch, flood watch, small-craft and high-surf advisories remain in effect. Gonna be a gusty, sideways-rainy Wednesday evening on Guam.

6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, Guam time: Tropical Depression Chaba continues bearing down on Rota, just north of Guam, with a near-direct hit on the tiny island forecast for 2 a.m. Thursday, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

 A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan, according to the National Weather Service on Guam. A flood watch is in effect for Guam and Rota. A high-surf and small-craft advisory remains in effect as well.

 Winds of 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts are forecast through Wednesday into Thursday. On Guam, a heavy thunderstorm with frequently dangerous lightning is occuring until 7 p.m. between Hagatna Bay down to Agat and Orote Point, near Naval Base Guam.

1:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, Guam time: Perhaps it might finally happen. After a whole season without a visit by a significant tropical cyclone, Okinawa might finally get a long-awaited typhoon, by early next week if Chaba remains on its initial forecast track.

At 10 a.m., Chaba, Thai for tropical flower, was 223 miles east of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, headed west at 16 mph, with 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts at center.

A small-craft advisory is in place for Saipan and Tinian and a high-surf advisory for the main Marianas Islands, including Guam, until 6 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service on Guam. The Marianas are also under a Tropical Storm Watch.

There's a vast spread among dynamic model guidance. Some models have Chaba turning northeast toward Japan, while others show a straight run into Taiwan.< Joint Typhoon Warning Center's initial forecast track takes Chaba northwest. By 9 a.m. Monday, Chaba is projected to be about 200 miles south-southeast of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, packing 75-mph sustained winds and 92-mph gusts at center.

Shogunweather.com, Kadena's 18th Wing Weather Flight official Web site, depicts winds picking up by Sunday, 21-mph sustained and 31-mph gusts, with between a 40- and 50-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Note that this is an initial track. It's very, very early in the life of a tropical cyclone. Much can change over the course of a storm's first day or two.

1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, Guam time: Tropical Depression Chaba has formed east of Guam. Initial model guidance and the first Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecast track indicates a path toward Okinawa once it exits the Marianas. This post will be updated.

7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, Guam time: A tropical cyclone formation alert has been issued on a disturbance 322 miles east-southeast of Guam. The disturbance is forecast to pass through the Marianas Wednesday into Wednesday evening, bringing showers and winds between 30 and 35 mph into Wednesday evening. PST is keeping an eye on this developing system.</s>(Press Release) — Based on information received from the National Weather Service and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center-State Warning Point, a tropical storm watch remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. Tropical storm conditions, including winds of 39 mph or more, are possible Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, the center of Chaba was located by satellite near latitude 14.3 degrees north and longitude 146.3 degrees east and .moving west at 16 mph.

This was about 65 miles southeast of Saipan and Tinian, about 75 miles east of Rota and about 120 miles east-northeast of Guam.

Chaba was expected to maintain a general westward track through Thursday and turn to the northwest on Friday with a slight decrease in forward motion.

Maximum sustained winds remain at 35 mph. Chaba was expected to maintain this intensity through late Wednesday night and will begin to intensify Thursday morning, possibly becoming a tropical storm early Thursday morning.

Because of the anticipated threat of Chaba, Gov. Ralph Torres is advising residents to maintain necessary precautionary measures for gusty strong winds, heavy rain showers and possible flooding.

Residents should also secure all loose objects around the house that need to be strapped down or removed and secured to prevent them from being picked up and propelled by the strong winds.

Also, now is a good time to clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains in your area to minimize the chance of flooding.

Updated advisories will be available through local media sources and the NOAA weather radio broadcast on 162.5 megahertz. You may also call 237-8000 or 664-8000.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center issues a Tropical Storm Watch for Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao islands in the Caribbean Sea, and for the northwest South American coast.