MIAMI: Hurricane Matthew has formed in the Caribbean near the island of Curacao, and could take aim at Cuba or Haiti by early next week, US weather forecasters said Thursday.
The storm upgraded to Category One hurricane status on a scale of one to five -- with five being the strongest -- packing winds of near 75 miles per hour (110 kilometers per hour) with higher gusts, said the US National Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba, where two to four inches (five to 10 centimeters) of rain are expected through Saturday.
Coastal interests in Venezuela and Colombia were urged to monitor the progress of the storm.
Matthew is expected to strengthen over the next day as it heads west. It may turn to the north in 48 hours, stirring up the Gulf of Mexico and possibly approaching Cuba or Haiti.
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