NEW YORK (PIX11) – Tropical Storm Erin is set to strengthen into a hurricane within the next few days as it continues moving westward in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said the system, which could become a hurricane by late Thursday or Friday, has maximum sustained winds topping 45 mph. Gusts from the storm are much stronger, hitting 60 mph, according to the NWS.

Forecasters said the storm is expected to move close to the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the weekend. The NWS warned to be on the lookout for life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in those areas.

The potential impacts of the tropical storm on the east coast of the U.S., the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas and Bermuda are all unclear.

Erin Pflaumer is

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