With sharp turn north, Tropical Storm Matthew could impact NC

After a few tropical storms wandered harmlessly out into the Atlantic Ocean, a fresh storm could make its way close enough to North Carolina next week to have an impact.

Tropical Storm Matthew was named Wednesday morning as wind speeds reached 60 mph. The storm is moving west toward Central America, but will most likely take a sharp turn north in the coming days.

"It's actually on the stronger side for a storm that has just been named," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

As it moves west, Matthew will intensify, likely becoming a Category 2 hurricane as it crosses over the Caribbean, Gardner said. Then, as many as 45 different forecast models show the storm gaining steam and eventually meandering near the U.S. coast.

"If it does impact the coast of the United States, it's likely to be mid-week," Gardner said.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Matthew was moving west at 21 mph.