Powerful Hurricane Matthew moving north in the Caribbean

Computer models show system off Florida's east coast in coming days

ORLANDO, Fla.

As of 5 A.M. Hurricane Matthew is still a monster-sized storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

The storm is currently headed north at 6 mph. 

The current track of the storm has it reaching Jamaica and Haiti by Monday, Cuba by Tuesday morning and moving into the eastern Bahamas by Thursday with it directly east of Melbourne on Friday.

The storm will be 100-200 miles east of Melbourne. You can expect it to become breezy and more rainy on Thursday and improving on Friday.

In Central Florida, there could be issues with beach erosion, heavy rain, high seas and high rip current risks.

On Sunday, Governor Rick Scott was briefed on the potential impacts of Hurricane Matthew, and he wants Florida residents to be prepared and stay alert.

"This storm is catastrophic, and if it hits our state, we could see impacts that we have not seen in many years. Even though the storm’s projected path is just east of our state, no one should take this lightly," Scott said.

"I urge everyone to visit FLGetAPlan.com to get prepared before the weekend is over. Make sure to have three days of food and water, flashlights, batteries and a battery-powered radio,"Scott continued.​

 

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Matthew strengthened into a Category 5 storm late Friday, becoming the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since Felix in 2007. By early Saturday, however, it had downgraded to a Category 4 hurricane. Saturday night, it had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.

Matthew poses a threat to Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas. It is was 230 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. It's still unclear what impact the massive storm will have on Florida or any other part of the United States.

"Hurricanes move in an erratic manner and the future of Matthew is subject to change," News 6 meteorologist Danny Treanor said.

[RELATED: Gov. Scott says Floridians should prepare for impact of Hurricane Matthew]

HURRICANE MATTHEW: Meterologist Danny Treanor is pinpointing the tropics with your Sunday evening update

Posted by News 6 WKMG / ClickOrlando on Sunday, October 2, 2016

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A hurricane warning was issued Saturday afternoon for Jamaica, as the track for the storm still has it making a sharp turn to the north. Authorities also issued a hurricane warning for Haiti from the southern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St. Nicholas.

In addition, a hurricane watch was issued Saturday for Haiti from east of Le Mole St. Nicholas to the northern border with the Dominican Republic. Authorities said a hurricane watch was issued for eastern Cuba from the province of Camaguey southeastward to the province of Guantanamo.

[VIDEO: Floridians worried for family in storm]

"Most of the computer models have Matthew staying east of Florida, but the forecast track still has southeast Florida in its cone of uncertainty," News 6 meteorologist Madeline Evans said. "The storm's path can change, of course, and we are still about a week out until Matthew possibly reaches us, so News 6 will keep you updated on the air, ClickOrlando.com, social media and out Pinpoint weather apps."

Central Florida forecast

The upcoming week in central Florida features more summer like weather and rain.

A 50 percent chance of rain Monday through Wednesday with a bump up on Thursday to 60 percent and possibly an influence from Hurricane Matthew.


Daytime highs will be 85 at the beaches and 88 inland.

The upcoming weekend could be very dry as Hurricane Matthew pulls away from our area and takes some moisture with it.

Afternoon showers and thunderstorms got an early start on Sunday.

The chance of rain Sunday is 50 percent and heavy rains, like Saturday, are possible.

However, most of the rains are moving faster than Saturday's rain which means the chance of flooding is reduced.

On Saturday, rains were not moving allowing 3 to 4-4 inches of rain to occur, producing flash flooding in some areas.
Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.


About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.