Tropical Storm Erin is continuing on a westward path and is on track to strengthen into a major hurricane this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

According to a 5 a.m. ET advisory from the NHC on Aug. 14, Erin was located about 990 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds around 50 mph with higher gusts. Erin is currently moving west near 17 mph, and this motion is expected through Thursday, with a west-northwestward motion beginning Thursday night and continuing into the weekend, according to forecasters.

"Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, with more significant intensification possible on Friday and Saturday," hurricane center forecasters said on Aug. 14.

The hurricane center said the center of Erin is like

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