TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical storm Erin continues to move west as it is expected to become a hurricane in a few days, the National Hurricane Center said.
Erin is located about 1,400 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands and heads west, nearing 20 mph.
The movement is expected to continue until Thursday, with a west-northwest movement beginning on Thursday, continuing over the weekend, according to the NHC.
The centre of Erin is expected to move near or north of the Northern Leeward Islands over the weekend.
A gradual strengthening is expected starting today, with Erin expected to become a hurricane by the second half of Thursday or early Friday.
The maximum sustained wind is 45 mph.
At this time there are no valid coastal clocks or warnings.
According to the National Hurricane Centre, tropical waves over the Caribbean sea in the northwest Caribbean are producing showers and thunderstorms this morning.
The system is expected to move through the West-Northwest, crossing the Yucatan Peninsula without increasing organization.
The NHC said some development is possible after the system appears across the Southwest Bay from Thursday, as it will move west-northwest or northwest at 10-15 mph.
The chance of formation in the next 48 hours is 10%, but 20% over the next 7 days.
Low-pressure, non-tropical regions, hundreds of miles from Nova Scotia, Canada, produce showers and thunderstorms.
The low residue near warm waters of Gulf Rivers may be limited in tropical or subtropical development today, according to the NHC.
By night, the system is expected to move north through cold water, which will halt the possibility of tropical development.
The next 48 and 7 days of development is 10%.
