Hurricane Matthew Upgraded to Category 5 Storm; Part of Florida in Potential Path

CLEARWATER, FL — Hurricane Matthew strengthened significantly in the late evening hours Friday, becoming a Category 5 storm. The system was packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, making it the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic since Felix in 2007, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Matthew, the 13th named storm of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, was located about 80 miles northwest of Punta Gallinas, Colombia, Friday at 11 p.m. The system was moving west at 7 mph.

Hurricane center forecasters say the storm is expected to turn toward the west-northwest on Saturday with a northwest turn anticipated on Sunday.

Hurricane-force winds extend out from the storm by about 45 miles. Tropical storm-force winds extend out up to 205 miles, the center noted.

On its current projected path, Matthew is expected to collide with Jamaica Monday afternoon before moving across Cuba. Florida is now within the storm's possible path, but it remains still too soon to tell what, if any, impact Matthew might have on the Sunshine State.

Hurricane Matthew’s formation comes at the peak of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Forecasters at the hurricane center say the eight-week period that begins in mid-August and runs through mid-October is a “season within the season.” This eight-week period “is often the most active and dangerous time for tropical cyclone activity,” NOAA explained on its website.

The eight-week period is historically responsible for major spikes in tropical weather activity, NOAA said. In fact, it accounts for about 78 percent of all tropical storm days on record. It is also the period when 87 percent of the category 1 and 2 hurricane days on record occurred. In addition, this period is responsible for “a whopping 96 percent of the major (category 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days.”

Tampa Bay hasn’t been struck by a hurricane in more than 90 years. Even so, it’s had some close calls this year. Most recently, Hurricane Hermine left flooding woes in her wake as she passed by on her way to the Panhandle. Experts say the region's lucky streak isn’t likely to last. It’s not a question of if, but when, forecasters say.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season’s Peak is Now
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• 2016 Hurricane Names: Is Yours On the List?
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

To keep up with storm activity as the season develops, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website and keep an eye on your hometown Patch site for local information.

Graphic courtesy of NOAA