Hurricane watch in effect for Belize as Tropical Storm Matthew heads toward Central America

Tropical Storm Matthew moving quickly in Caribbean

MIAMI — A hurricane warning is in effect for coastal areas of Nicaragua and Honduras as Tropical Storm Matthew approaches Central America.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said early Friday that Matthew has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph). Additional strengthening is forecast and Matthew could become a hurricane later in the day.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the coast of Belize. Also, a tropical storm warning is in effect from Limon, Honduras, to the Guatemala border.

Matthew is located about 240 miles (390 kilometers) east of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, and moving west near 16 mph (26 kph).

Meanwhile far out over the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Lisa is drifting slowly northwest with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph (65 kph).

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Updates status of storms. Corrects where watches and warnings are in effect.)