Hurricane Matthew gains strength in the Caribbean, becomes major storm

Hurricane Matthew has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm as it makes its way toward Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas.

The National Hurricane Center predicts heavy rain over the weekend in Aruba, Colombia and Venezuela.

Meteorologists still do not know if or how the storm will make landfall in the United States. The National Weather Service said Friday it is still too early to determine how it could affect Florida.

Hurricane #Matthew advisory 11 issued. #Matthew rapidly strengthens to a powerful category 4 hurricane https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM

— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) September 30, 2016

A #Hurricane Watch has been issued for Jamaica & a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for SW Haiti More: https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb #Matthew pic.twitter.com/ZuTaA6jMVb

— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) September 30, 2016

Matthew is the fifth hurricane in this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.

The Weather Channel reports that even if Matthew does not hit the U.S. coast there will be “a threat of dangerous swells, coastal flooding, and beach erosion is likely to be in play along parts of the Eastern Seaboard.”