• Tropical Storm Erin is anticipated to escalate into a Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 130 mph. • A separate disturbance in the Gulf of America has a low chance of development and is unlikely to impact North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Erin is now expected to become a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Erin was a strong tropical storm early Friday morning, Aug. 15, but is expected to become a hurricane later Aug. 15 and a major hurricane by Sunday morning, Aug. 17. A major hurricane is one that's a Category 3 storm or higher, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

"Erin will be a large and powerful hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean this weekend," the National

See Full Page