Tropical Storm Matthew is strengthening as it creeps slowly over the Caribbean and could become a Category 2 hurricane by the weekend as it approaches eastern Cuba.

The storm currently has wind speeds topping out at about 65 mph and is traveling west at about 16 mph.

Computer models show Tropical Storm Matthew’s course turning north by early Sunday, taking it over eastern Cuba by Tuesday.

“As expected, Tropical Storm Matthew formed in the Atlantic. It will be traveling over the southern Caribbean during the rest of this week,” Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields said. “It will most likely strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane. After that, it will be close to Cuba this weekend.

“From there, it is too early to tell where it will go. We are in the heart of the hurricane season, so we need to pay close attention to this storm.”

Matthew is a very wide storm with a diameter of 500 miles at its widest point and tropical storm-force winds extending out more than 200 miles from its center.

Currently, Tropical Storm Matthew is expected to stay east of Florida as it moves north next week.

“The model data keeps Matthew east of us next week, taking it through the Bahamas,” Shields said. “We’ll monitor for any changes to the possible track.”

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Our team of meteorologists will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Matthew closely and bring you updates about its evolution on WFTV Channel 9, WFTV.com, the WFTVWeather app and on all of our social media platforms. Our newscasts start at 5 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.