Tropical Storm Erin has begun strengthening as it streaks west across the Atlantic and is on track to reach hurricane status as soon as Friday, prompting tropical storm watches in the northern Leeward Islands.

Erin is the fifth named storm to develop during the Atlantic hurricane season, which started just over two months ago. Last week, Tropical Storm Dexter formed in the western Atlantic but didn't pose a threat to land. In early July, Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the Carolina coast, bringing deadly flooding to the region.

Erin’s sustained winds increased to 70 mph, just 4 mph shy of hurricane strength. The hurricane center said Erin should continue to strengthen through the weekend, when it should be moving near or north of the Leeward Islands, according to the official forecast path.

Hurricane Erin, which started as a tropical storm west of the Cabo Verde Islands, is making its way towards the east coast — although, its core is not forecast to go over land.

Hurricane Erin, the first of the 2025 Atlantic season, is forecast to become a major storm this weekend, bringing heavy rain, flooding risk, and dangerous surf to parts of the Caribbean and western Atlantic.

Erin, the first hurricane of the season, is now a powerful Category 5 hurricane. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.

Tropical Storm Erin is approaching Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, bringing heavy rains that could cause flooding and landslides

Tropical Storm Erin is gaining strength in the central Atlantic and could become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season by Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. At 11 AM AST (1500 UTC) on Tuesday,