At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Maria was located
near latitude 21.0 North, longitude 70.2 West. Maria is moving
toward the northwest near 8 mph (13 km/h) but a motion toward
the north-northwest is anticipated for Friday and Saturday.
On the forecast track, Maria's eye will gradually move away from the
northern coast of the Dominican Republic and then move near or just
east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas on
Friday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher
gusts. Maria is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely
during Friday and Saturday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160
miles (260 km).
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
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Central Bahamas