(Gray Louisiana) - Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane in the Atlantic this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center . Confidence is growing that Erin will avoid land impacts along the U.S. East Coast.

As of Wednesday morning, Erin was located around 1,300 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, moving west at 17 mph with winds of 45 mph.

Erin will continue west into Thursday before turning west-northwest Thursday night into the weekend. On that track, Erin could pass close enough to the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico this weekend to produce some impacts.

Gradual strengthening is forecast to begin later Wednesday or Thursday, with hurricane status likely by Friday.

Key Changes to National Hurricane Center Fo

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