WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Tropical Storm Erin continues to move west, traveling at about 23 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
The storm's speed will start to slow down, giving it more time to organize.
The National Hurricane Center is expecting this system to turn into a major Category 3 hurricane — the first of the season.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect right now.
Little change in strength is expected on Tuesday, but gradual strengthening is forecast to begin on Wednesday. Erin could become a hurricane by late Thursday.
Late Thursday and into the weekend, the storm is expected to start moving west-northwest, hopefully keeping it away from the Caribbean. The system is still about seven days away, so that models can change.
There are two other areas to watch— one in the northwestern Atlantic and a trough of low-pressure off of Louisiana's coast that has a chance of developing tropical characteristics.
