Tropical Storm Matthew has been upgraded to Hurricane Matthew, the National Hurricane Centre announced this afternoon.

The hurricane, which is not a current threat to Bermuda, is located 150 miles north-northeast of Curacao, has maximum sustained winds of 75mph and is heading west at 17mph.

The NHC’s five-day forecast sees Matthew heading towards Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas early next week.

Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba are continuing their Tropical Storm Watch for Matthew, the fifth hurricane of the season.

According to The Jamaica Observer, the country’s National Meteorological Service has issued a severe weather alert as it closely monitors Matthew.