Tropical Storm Erin expected to become hurricane this week: NHC

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Erin is expected to become a hurricane in a few days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 11 a.m., Erin is located about 820 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands and is moving toward the west at 23 mph.

NHC forecasters said the speedy westward motion will continue for the next several days, followed by a decrease in speed and a gradual turn toward the west-northwest.

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Gradual strengthening is expected, and Erin is forecast to become a hurricane in the next couple of days. It is likely to reach major hurricane strength this weekend.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph.

“Although it is still too early to know exactly what impacts Erin might bring to the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the risk has increased for Erin to move closer to these islands over the weekend,” NHC forecasters wrote. “Interests there should monitor the progress of this storm.”

At this time there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Northeastern Gulf

Disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the north-central Gulf are due to a surface trough.

According to NHC, development of this system is not likely as it moves inland later today.

Heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding across parts of the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southeastern Louisiana over the next day or so, NHC said.

Northwestern Atlantic

A non-tropical area of low pressure a few hundred miles southeast of Nova Scotia, Canada is producing showers and thunderstorm activity to the west of its center.

Some tropical or subtropical development is possible over the next day or so as the system moves near warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

According to NHC, by the middle of this week, the system is expected to move northward over cooler waters and end the chances for further development.

The chance of formation in the next 48 hours and seven days is 10 percent.