As much as I would like to be able to say that today’s blog is about my impact on these islands, a tounge in cheek piece about my ego, or a self-depricating monologue regarding my over inflated sense of self-importance. I am afraid it is not.

Tropical Storm Matthew is on the way from the Atlantic and has a high chance of becoming Hurricane Matthew by the weekend!

It is Tuesday but I have already lost track of the number of Hurricane Matthew jokes this week. Gallows humour is strong here. Gulp…

“A budding tropical system is likely to soon become Tropical Depression Fourteen and then Tropical Storm Matthew at any time into Wednesday,” AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.

“The system will take a westward path across the central Caribbean this weekend, where strengthening to a hurricane is possible,” Kottlowski said.

Areas from the Dominican Republic and Haiti to Cuba and Jamaica, as well as northern Venezuela and Colombia, should closely monitor the path and strength of the system, which could be a strong tropical storm or hurricane by Sunday.

It is too soon to even mention specifics regarding landfall location, if there is a landfall at all. But coastal residents along the Gulf and East coasts should be aware that there is the potential for a tropical storm or hurricane in their vicinity next week.

It’s just a mess of clouds and rain on Tuesday, but a vast majority of forecast models expect this system to strengthen as it tracks west. Many of these models suggest it will become a hurricane later this week. On Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center gave this system 90% of becoming a tropical cyclone by Thursday morning.

Interaction with the large islands and mountains could hinder any strengthening.

Cruise, fishing and shipping interests in the Caribbean Sea may want to avoid the area until the threat passes beyond early next week.

The system could take a northward or northwestward turn late this weekend and into early next week.

How far west the system makes the turn will determine whether or not the U.S. Gulf Coast or the Atlantic Seaboard will be threatened next week.

The system’s movement will also dictate which of the Greater Antilles would be directly affected by heavy rain, flooding, mudslides and strong winds this weekend.