MIAMI – The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a warning that Tropical Storm Erin, currently located several hundred miles west of the Cape Verde Islands, is expected to strengthen significantly this week. 

According to the latest forecast, Erin is projected to reach hurricane strength by Thursday and could intensify into a Category 3 or higher hurricane by the weekend, with sustained winds of at least 178 kilometers per hour (111 mph). Meteorologists say further intensification is possible early next week. 

Other Systems in the Atlantic 
In addition to Erin, meteorologists are monitoring three other weather systems across the Atlantic basin: 

A low-pressure area south of Nova Scotia has a small (10 percent) chance of developing into a tropical system within 48 hours before moving into cooler waters. 

A weak trough in the central Atlantic also has only a 10 percent chance of development. 

In the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, a trough near Florida’s Panhandle is bringing heavy rainfall but has no potential to develop into a tropical storm. 

Forecasters will continue to closely track Erin’s path and intensity, as well as the other systems, in the coming days.