At 5:00 a.m. today, the centre of Hurricane Maria was near latitude 16.0 north, longitude 62.3 west, or 139 miles or 224 kilometers northwest of Saint Lucia. Maria is moving toward the west northwest near 9 mph or 15 km/h.  On the forecast track, the centre of Maria is expected to move across the north eastern Caribbean today.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 155 mph or 250 km/h with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two but Maria is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane during the next couple of days.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles or 45 km from the centre and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles or 205 km. The outerbands of Maria will continue to produce some heavy showers, gusty winds and thunderstorms over Saint Lucia this morning.

Rough seas generated by Hurricane Maria will continue to affect Saint Lucia with waves and swells 13 to 15 feet or 4.0 to 4.6 metres for the next 24 hours. Small craft operators and local fishermen are strongly advised to remain in port and residents are also advised to stay away from the beaches.

Persons living in areas prone to flooding and landslides are advised to continue to exercise vigilance. Residents of Saint Lucia and the northern windward and leeward islands are asked to closely monitor the progress of this system.

The next advisory will be issued at 8:00 a.m. this morning.