On August 16, the hurricane moved steadily west-northwest 140 miles (225 km) south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hurricane Charlie continued to strengthen, and it reached Category 2 status on August 17 as it moved quickly westward across the Caribbean Sea. The cyclone intensified as it made landfall south of Kingston, Jamaica with 110 mph (175 km/h) sustained winds. The city reported peak winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) as the center passed 8 miles (10 km) to the southwest, so Charlie may have been a Category 3 hurricane in Jamaica. On August 18, the hurricane left the island as a Category 1 hurricane, and it quickly re-intensified over water. It passed south of the Cayman Islands with 105 mph (165 km/h) sustained winds. Grand Cayman reported gusts of 92 mph (150 km/h). Later, it attained major hurricane status on August 19. The hurricane peaked at 130 mph (215 km/h) just before hitting near Cozumel during the night, and it weakened as it crossed the Yucatán Peninsula on August 20.