Tomas is now centered due east of Jamaica and just a few miles west of Haiti's southern peninsula. It has regained hurricane force winds (75 mph, 120 km/h). There has only been one change in the warnings from yesterday's update, far eastern Cuba is now under a Hurricane Watch. Haiti, Jamaica, eastern Cuba and most of the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos are receiving heavy rain. Haiti's southern peninsula is experiencing tropical storm force winds (greater than 35 mph, 56 km/h). Thus far winds in Port-au-Prince have remained below that threshold. Hurricane force winds have remained completely offshore, although it remains a possibility that they will clip either tip of Haiti's peninsulas or the eastern edge of Cuba. Landfall is still possible, if unlikely in Haiti.
Forecasts currently show Tomas losing strength again as it passes through the Turks and Caicos tonight, and it will return to tropical storm status during the day on Saturday. Landfall is possible in the Turks and Caicos.
On a side note, I would like to mention that it appears to me that the plane crash in Cuba was not related to Tomas. Zaza Reservoir, near which the plane crashed, is not being significantly impacted by Tomas.
I am worried to see reports coming out of Haiti later this weekend. From what I have heard on reports from NPR there really aren't enough places for people to evacuate to. The amount of flooding could be similar to what happened in Vera Cruz, Mexico with Karl, but with a vast majority of the population having nothing to protect them but tarps. Sad conditions indeed.
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