At about 11 a.m., the National Hurricane Center positioned the storm at about 35 miles southeast of Saint Lucia.

As of 11 a.m. today, the tropical wave affecting the region has been upgraded Tropical Storm Matthew.

Saint Lucia is now under a tropical storm watch. Watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

The system is moving west to west northwest at approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour or 24 to 32 kilometers per hour.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 11 a.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Matthew was located near latitude 13.4 north, and longitude 60.7 west, and is expected to cross the island chain near the central Windward Islands later on today. Associated with this system are heavy rains and tropical storm force winds ranging between 40 to 45 mph.

The National Hurricane Center positioned the storm at about 35 miles or 55 kilometers south east of Saint Lucia with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour or 95 kilometers per hour.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines.

On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will move through the Windward Islands during the next couple of hours, and over the Caribbean Sea through Friday.

NEMO advises the public to continue monitoring the progress of the storm and to take immediate preemptive action to protect themselves and their property. Persons should secure their homes and review their plan for evacuation in case of a hurricane or tropical storm.