Hurricane Maria remains a Category 2 storm as it gradually moves away from Puerto Rico.

The National Hurricane Center says conditions were deteriorating over the Eastern Dominican Republic Wednesday night.

The storm's maximum sustained winds were at 110 mph at 8 p.m., but the storm is expected to re-strengthen into a major hurricane by Thursday.

Live 5 Weather Forecaster Jordan Wilkerson said Wednesday night most of the forecast models show Maria staying away from the South Carolina coast.

"So far the models are in consensus showing a trend of veering away from the southeast coast," Wilkerson said. "We'll continue to monitor the storm for any changes."

At 8 p.m., the eye of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 18.9 North, longitude 67.5 West.

Maria is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph, 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 center of Maria will continue to move away from the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico Wednesday evening. The center will then pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic Wednesday night and Thursday and then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph 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 from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles. The minimum central pressure based on data from the Air Force aircraft is 957 mb.

The forecast track shows the storm remaining well off the South Carolina coastline, however the cone of uncertainty at the point that it would be near South Carolina currently varies by 250 miles toward the coastline.

Some computer models show the storm making a northeasterly turn toward New England which is still dealing with effects of Hurricane Jose.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
• 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 Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

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

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.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Jose downgraded to tropical storm, remnants of Lee could redevelop

As tropical storm warnings for portions of New England continue, Jose remains a strong tropical storm.

At 5 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Jose was located near latitude 39.2 North, longitude 69.1 West, about 145 miles south-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph.

On the forecast track, the center of Jose is expected to meander off the coast of southern New England during the next few days.

Forecasters tracking the remnants of Lee say showers and thunderstorms have not become any better organized over the past few hours, but say that redevelopment is likely. The low was expected to move northward over the central Atlantic Ocean during the next few days, and there is a 60 percent chance of development over the next 48 hours. </s> The NHC warned that the “large eye of Hurricane Maria” is just 80miles (130km) east-southeast of Grand Turk Island. The 8pm EDT update from the NHC added Hurricane Maria is around 85miles northeast of Puerto Plata, in the Dominica Republic, which it devastated with flooding earlier on Thursday. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Puerto Plata as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Warning is in place for the Dominican Republic from west of Puerto Plata to the northern border of the DR and Haiti.

A Tropical Storm watch is in effect for central Bahamas. The NHC said: “At 8pm EDT/AST (12am UTC), the large eye of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 20.9 North, longitude 70.0 West. “Maria is moving toward the northwest near 9mph (15kmph), and this general motion is expected to continue through tonight. A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast early Friday, with that motion continuing through Saturday. “On the forecast track, Maria's eye will continue to pass offshore of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic this evening, and then move near or just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas later tonight and on Friday.”

"Preliminary reports from an Air Force reconnaissance plane indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to around 125mph (205kmph) with higher gusts. “Maria is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in strength is expected during the next couple of days.” “Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70miles (110km) from the centre, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160miles (260km). It continued: “Hurricane and tropical storm conditions continue across portions of the Dominican Republic.

“Tropical storm conditions are beginning to spread across the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, and hurricane conditions are expected tonight or early Friday. “Tropical storm conditions are possible in the central Bahamas beginning late Friday. "A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels in the hurricane warning area in the Dominican Republic, and 1 to 3 ft elsewhere along the northern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. “ A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels within the hurricane warning area of the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.” </s> MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After battering Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria is now lashing northeastern Dominican Republic.

At 5 a.m., the center of the Category 3 hurricane was about 70 miles north of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Maria was moving to the northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles. Punta Cana in the eastern Dominican Republic recently reported a wind gust to 56 mph.

A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast on Friday. On the forecast track, the eye of Hurricane Maria will continue to pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic today. Maria should then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas tonight and Friday.

Some strengthening is possible during the next day or so.

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

Strong gusty winds are still occurring over portions of Puerto Rico, but should continue to gradually subside this morning.

 Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are continuing across portions of the warning areas in the Dominican Republic. Hurricane conditions are expected to begin in portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning in these areas later today.

A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels in the hurricane warning area in the Dominican Republic, and 1 to 3 ft elsewhere along the northern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels within the hurricane warning area of the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Maria is expected to produce the following rainfall accumulations through Saturday:

*Puerto Rico…additional 4 to 8 inches, isolated maximum storm total amounts 35 inches.

 *U.S. and British Virgin Islands…additional 2 to 4 inches.

 *Northern and eastern Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and Mayaguana in southeast Bahamas…8 to 16 inches, isolated 20 inches.

 *Inagua Islands, Crooked Island, and rest of southeast Bahamas…4 to 8 inches.

 *Northern Haiti…2 to 4 inches.

Rainfall on these islands will continue to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
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• Click here to download the CBS4 2017 Hurricane Guide (English) </s> The Turks and Caicos Islands are dealing with hurricane-force winds, flooding rains, and storm surge from Hurricane Maria. As of 8:30 CDT Friday, Maria is a category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds. The eye of the storm is passing north of the Turks and Caicos, but close enough that winds above hurricane force of 74 mph are hitting the islands. Storm surge is expected to be 6-9 feet and flooding rains of 8-16 inches are likely.

Maria has begun a northward turn that will move it into cooler water. Most computer model forecasts and the National Hurricane Center’s track forecast project that Maria will weaken to a category 1 storm as it moves between the east coast of the US and the island of Bermuda over the next 5 days. Beyond that, the most likely scenario is that Maria will curve eastward into the Atlantic, but there remains a small chance that Maria could brush the US mainland.

Elsewhere in the tropics, Jose has lost its tropical characteristics but still has 50 mph winds in spots. What’s left of Jose will drift around off the Eastern Seaboard until it dissipates entirely in a few days. No other tropical systems are likely to form in the next few days. </s> The extent of the damage is unknown given that dozens of municipalities remained isolated and without communication after Maria hit the island Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in over 80 years. (CNN image)

Hurricane Maria is a major hurricane again this morning. It is a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds 115 mph. It could strengthen more in the next couple of days.
• Now a Category 3 with 115 mph winds, the storm is expected to take a northward turn

Maria continues to move away from Puerto Rico but heavy rainfall and flash flooding continue there this morning.

Maria is expected to pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic today then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas tonight and Friday. Hurricane Warnings are in effect for those areas where Maria is expected to bring dangerous wind, storm surge and heavy rainfall.

The government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the central Bahamas. All other watches and warnings remain the same.

Maria is expected to stay well east of Florida. As it moves northward it will likely weaken a bit as it heads into some wind shear and slightly cooler waters next week.

HURRICANE MARIA

 SUMMARY OF 800 AM INFORMATION

 ———————————————-

 LOCATION…19.9N 68.7W

 ABOUT 95 MILES NNW OF PUNTA CANA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 ABOUT 190 MILES SE OF GRAND TURK ISLAND

 MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…115 MPH

 PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW AT 9 MPH

 MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…959 MB…28.32 INCHES

Tropical Storm Jose is in the Atlantic Ocean about 150 miles southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Maximum sustained winds are 60 mph.

Jose is bringing rain and gusty winds to the coast of southeastern New England. Tropical Storm Warnings are in place there including Cape Cod, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

A wind gust to 48 mph was recently reported at the Nantucket Airport.

Jose is expected to meander off the coast of New England for several days and gradually weaken but it will continue to bring dangerous surf and rip currents to the U.S. east coast.

TROPICAL STORM JOSE

 SUMMARY OF 800 AM INFORMATION

 ———————————————-

 LOCATION…39.6N 68.1W

 ABOUT 150 MILES SE OF NANTUCKET MASSACHUSETTS

 MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…60 MPH

 PRESENT MOVEMENT…STATIONARY

 MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…982 MB…29.00 INCHES </s> COLUMBIA, SC (WLTX) - Maria remains a Category 3 hurricane, but she has gained a little strength as she continues to head toward the Turks and Caicos Islands.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the storm's maximum sustained winds were at 120 miles an hour, and more strengthening is possible during the next day or so.

Maria is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph, and this general motion is expected through Thursday night. A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast for early Friday, with that motion expected to continue through early Saturday.

Maria's eye will continue to pass offshore of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic today, and then move near or just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.

It's still too early to say definitively where Maria will go once it leaves the islands.

However, computer models have been consistent for the last three days in showing the storm turning away from the U.S. mainland, or at least staying well offshore from South Carolina.

However, we caution that forecast models can change, and it's far too early to give any kind of "all clear." The storm will require close monitoring over the next several days.

There are no watches or warnings in the state, and we are not in any 'cone of uncertainty.'

Remember, the reason the National Hurricane Center only puts out a five-day cone is because beyond that point, the models get much less accurate. Even at four and five days, there's uncertainty. (Which is why you see the 'cone' get bigger as toward the end.)

Understand, the computer models keep shifting, and will shift again in the coming days. We saw that with Irma, and frankly speaking, we see that with any storm that forms in the Atlantic. As new data comes in, the models change.

As always, our weather team will be keeping you up-to-date on the storm. You'll be able to fine those here on WLTX.com, on air, and on our Facebook page and by following us on Twitter @WLTX </s> Maria regained major hurricane strength near the eastern Dominican Republic early on Thursday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale was about 55 miles (90 km) north of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h), the NHC said.

On the forecast track, the core of 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 on Thursday, the Miami-based weather forecaster said. </s> Hurricane Maria thrashed parts of the Dominican Republic with heavy rain and high winds as it passed near its east and north coasts early Thursday after making a direct hit on Puerto Rico that caused severe flooding and cut power to the entire island.

Maria has killed at least 10 people as it rages through the Caribbean, the second major hurricane to do so this month, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said it was headed toward the Turks and Caicos Islands later Thursday and the southeastern Bahamas, bringing dangerous storm surges and torrential rain.

It ripped roofs off almost all structures on the island country of Dominica, where seven people were confirmed dead. The toll is expected to climb when searches resume at daybreak.

Maria was ranked a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of up to 250 km/h when it hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday. It is the strongest storm to hit the U.S. territory in nearly 90 years.

It ripped apart homes, snapped power lines and turned roadways into torrents laden with debris as it cut a diagonal swath across the island.

The entire island of 3.4 million people was under a flash flood warning early on Thursday as the storm was forecast to dump 50 to 76 centimetres of rain on much of Puerto Rico through Friday, according to the NHC.

The island's governor, Ricardo Rossello, said the only fatality immediately reported was a man struck by a piece of lumber hurled by high winds.

"It's nothing short of a major disaster," Rossello said in a CNN interview, adding it may take months for the island's electricity to be completely restored.

Maria weakened as it went over land in Puerto Rico but picked up strength again early Thursday as it passed over warm Caribbean waters.

The Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h was about 110 kilometres north of Punta Cana, on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, at 5 a.m. ET, the NHC said.

Punta Cana, a popular tourist area, was hit with wind gusts of 93 km/h and Maria was forecast to bring storm surges — when hurricanes push ocean water dangerously over normal levels — of up to 1.8 metres in the Dominican Republic, it said.

Maria is expected to pick up strength as it churns toward the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. Storm surges on those islands could be as high as 3.6 metres, the centre said.

Maria would then move north in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. There was no indication Thursday morning as to whether it would hit the continental United States.

It was classified a Category 5 storm when it struck Dominica on Monday night with devastating force.

Based on an aerial survey, about 95 per cent of roofs in Dominica, one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean with a population of about 73,000, were damaged or destroyed by Maria, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. It said damage to the island could be in the billions of dollars.

Passing early Wednesday just west of St. Croix, home to about 55,000 people, Maria damaged an estimated 65 per cent to 70 per cent of the island's buildings, said Holland Redfield, who served six terms in the U.S. Virgin Islands senate. </s> The US National Hurricane Center says Maria has regained its major hurricane status, rising to a Category 3 storm early Thursday.

An update from the Miami-based center says maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 kph) with higher gusts.

Maria's fierce core was centered about 55 miles (85 kilometers) northeast of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It 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 tonight and Friday.

President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria hit. Trump's action early Thursday makes federal funding available to people on the island of St. Croix.
Now a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (180 km/h), Maria is moving toward the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, and is forecast to affect the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and northern Haiti Friday.