Matthew upgraded to Category 4 hurricane

Hurricane Matthew was upgraded to a Category four hurricane, with windspeeds up to 140 miles per hour. Source: NOAA/NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Hurricane Matthew strengthened once again on Friday, increasing from a Category 3 to a Category 4 storm, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Matthew is moving west-southwest at approximately 9 miles per hour (15 km/hour) but is expected to shift west-north west by Saturday night. Windspeeds are up to 140 miles per hour.

The government of Jamaica has issued a hurricane watch, as Matthew is approximately 465 miles southeast from the coastline and could make landfall within the next 48 hours.