...Depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Matthew over the
southwestern Caribbean Sea...

 

 
summary of 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...information
----------------------------------------------
location...14.0n 76.9w
about 435 mi...700 km E of Puerto Cabezas Nicaragua
maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/hr
present movement...W or 280 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/hr
minimum central pressure...1006 mb...29.71 inches
 
Summary of watches and warnings in effect...

 
a Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Puerto Cabezas Nicaragua to Limon Honduras...including the
offshore islands.

 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Puerto Cabezas Nicaragua to Limon Honduras...including the
offshore islands.

 
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

 
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.

For storm information specific to your area ...please monitor
products issued by your National meteorological service.

 

 
Discussion and 48-hour outlook
------------------------------
at 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...the center of Tropical Storm Matthew was
located near latitude 14.0 north...longitude 76.9 west. Matthew is
moving toward the west near 16 mph...26 km/hr...this general motion
is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. On the forecast
track...the center of the Matthew is expected to be near the
Nicaragua/Honduras border late Friday or early Saturday morning.

 
Reports from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicate
that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph...65
km/hr...with higher gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast
during the next 48 hours...and Matthew could become a hurricane by
Saturday.

 
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles...55 km
from the center.

 
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb...29.71 inches.