Major Hurricane Maria moved slowly toward the Turks and Caicos on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Maria was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 80.2°W which put it about 65 miles (110 km) east-southeast of the Turks and Caicos. Maria was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.
Hurricane Warnings were in effect for the Turks and Caicos, the Southeastern Bahamas and the portion of the coast from Cabo Engano to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for portion of the coast from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to the northern border with Haiti. Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for the Central Bahamas.
The core of Hurricane Maria reorganized on Thursday as the center moved over the warm water north of the Dominican Republic. A large eye formed at the center of circulation. The eye had a diameter of 40 miles (64 km). A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Maria. Crossing over Puerto Rico and an eyewall replacement cycle produced a larger circulation. Winds to hurricane force extended out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.
Hurricane Maria will move through an environment favorable for strong hurricanes. Maria will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. Hurricane Maria will remain in an area where the upper level winds are weak and there is likely to be little vertical wind shear for at least one more day. The outer portion of the southern half of Hurricane Maria’s circulation is still passing over the Dominican Republic. Additional friction in the part of the circulation passing over land could reduce the amount of intensification that occurs. Hurricane Maria is likely to strengthen on Friday and it could reach Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Hurricane Maria is nearing the western end of the subtropical high pressure system which is steering the hurricane toward the northwest. Maria is entering an area where the steering currents are weaker and the motion of the hurricane slowed on Thursday night. The numerical models are still forecasting that Hurricane Maria will turn north on Friday when it rounds the western end of the high pressure system. Hurricane Maria is moving a little farther west than has been forecast and that trend could continue on Friday. If Hurricane Maria does move farther west than anticipated, then the core of Maria could come very close to the Turks and Caicos and parts of the Southeastern Bahamas.
Even if the center of Hurricane Maria does not pass directly over the Turks and Caicos and Southeastern Bahamas, bands of showers and thunderstorms will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain. Maria will also cause a storm surge on the coasts of those islands. If the center of Maria passes directly over them, the hurricane is capable of causing major damage. The southern part of Maria’s circulation is bringing heavy rain to parts of the Dominican Republic and there is the potential for flash floods.