UPDATE (11:00 p.m.) -- Peak winds near the center of Hurricane Matthew have decreased to 130 mph. This is still in the major Category 4 range of strength. The eye passed over the eastern tip of Cuba Tuesday evening, and the hurricane is forecast to approach the islands of the southeastern Bahamas Wednesday morning.
MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- Alert levels are being raised across the Sunshine State in advance of the possible approach of major Hurricane Matthew to the eastern shore of Florida later this week.
Hurricane Matthew slammed into the southwestern corner of Haiti Tuesday morning with peak winds of 145 mph. Assessments of impacts caused by that force have yet to be made. Matthew's next target is the far eastern tip of Cuba Tuesday night, then the central and southeast Bahamas Wednesday, without much loss in strength.
Hurricane and tropical storm watches are issued for parts of the east-central and southeast coasts of Florida, as well as Lake Okeechobee, in anticipation of possible hurricane conditions in these regions within 48 hours. The forecast track carries the center of Matthew along the east coast of Florida, bringing tropical-storm-force gusts into the eastern half of Florida Thursday and Friday as it parallels the eastern shores.
Only slight weakening is projected, and hurricane conditions are possible along the immediate Florida east coast during its journey late this week.
For the Big Bend and southwest Georgia, it is important to note that this is not a repeat situation that was created by Hurricane Hermine in early September. There is very high confidence that the core of Hurricane Matthew will remain east of the WTXL viewing region. As a result, direct impacts will be minimized, especially areas west of Interstate 75. In fact, areas around the tri-state may remain mostly sunny and dry Friday, with warm temperatures as the hurricane passes to the east.
Even though some indirect impacts are forecast, the region will escape the brunt of the hurricane.
If Matthew's eye (the central part of the storm) takes a path closer to the coast, or even moves just inland from the coast, some fringe areas of rain and occasional gusts, possibly near tropical-storm-force at times, may be experienced near and east of Interstate 75 Friday.
As Matthew departs the Florida/Georgia area Saturday, its circulation will aid in propelling a cold front and a drier air mass into the region, which will promote rain-free conditions and trigger a cooling trend for early next week.
