Hurricane Erin becomes a Category 4
Digest more
The NHC said it currently expected Erin to become a Category 4 storm later Saturday but to eventually swerve away from the continental United States.
It continues to push toward the northern Leeward Islands, where tropical storm watches are now in effect as of the 8 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. Intensification is expected as Erin moves toward warmer ocean temperatures over the next several days.
Tropical storm Erin was forecast to strengthen into a hurricane on Friday—and evolve into a major hurricane over the weekend.
See Erin’s latest track, which is expected to avoid land. Distant impacts from the storm are expected in the northern Caribbean.
Erin, the first hurricane of the season, is now forecast to become a Category 4 by Sunday. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.
Hurricane Erin has surged to Category 4 storm status and could bring dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore next week as it remains far out to see.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.