CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The Hurricane Warning for Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques has
been discontinued.
At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the large eye of Hurricane Maria
was located near latitude 19.2 North, longitude 67.9 West. Maria is
moving toward the northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h), 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 core of Hurricane 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 Thursday. Maria should then move near the Turks and Caicos
Islands and the southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 110 mph (175 km/h) 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 (95 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles
(240 km). Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic recently reported a
wind gust to 66 mph (106 km/h).
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