Hurricane Maria weakens to Category 2, moves away from Puerto Rico
Dan DeLuca
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Hurricane Maria is gradually moving away from Puerto Rico, as conditions begin to deteriorate over eastern Dominican Republic.
According to the National Hurricane Center's 5 p.m. update, Maria is located about 55 miles east-northeast of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and is moving northwest at 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds are at 110 mph, making it a Category 2 storm, and the minimum central pressure is 958 mb.
More:Entire island of Puerto Rico without power after being pummeled by Hurricane Maria
On the forecast track, the core of Hurricane Maria will continue to move away from the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico this evening. The core will then pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic tonight and Thursday and then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.
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.
More:Still a Category 5, Hurricane Maria moves closer to St. Croix
More:Hurricane Maria smashes Dominica, now menaces other islands
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
- Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques
- 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