(CNN) — Tropical Storm Erin formed Monday morning in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and forecasters expect it to become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this week.

Located just west of Africa’s Cabo Verde islands Monday morning, Erin is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season. It has sustained winds of 45 mph and is expected to gradually strengthen in the coming days. It could become a hurricane as soon as Wednesday evening.

The system is tracking west through a portion of the Atlantic known as the “main development region” that stretches from Africa’s west coast to the Caribbean. It’s where many tropical systems come to life – fueled by very warm ocean water – as hurricane season enters its typically busiest weeks.

It will take much of the week for Erin to make its

See Full Page