Tropical Storm Erin is on the verge of becoming a hurricane, with forecasts indicating it could reach hurricane strength later today. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that Erin is expected to develop into a major hurricane by the weekend.

As of the latest advisory, Erin was located approximately 570 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The storm is moving west-northwest at about 17 mph. Meteorologists predict that Erin will strengthen to hurricane status by 2 p.m. today and could escalate to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph by Sunday.

"Erin will be a large and powerful hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean this weekend," the NHC stated. Tropical storm watches have already been issued for several Caribbean islands, including Anguilla, Barbuda, and Sint Maarten.

The storm is expected to produce heavy rainfall across the northernmost Leeward Islands, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and parts of Puerto Rico. Rainfall totals could reach 2 to 4 inches, with isolated areas receiving up to 6 inches, potentially leading to flash flooding and landslides.

Swells generated by Erin are anticipated to affect the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico this weekend, creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. AccuWeather's senior meteorologist Chad Merrill warned families visiting Atlantic beaches to be cautious, as rip currents can be deadly. "More than 50 people have lost their lives to rip currents and rough surf at beaches across the country so far this year," he noted.

While current models suggest that Erin will curve away from the U.S. mainland, the NHC cautioned that dangerous surf and rip currents will likely impact East Coast beaches next week. The storm's path is expected to remain east of Florida, but forecasters emphasize the need for preparedness as conditions can change rapidly.

In addition to Erin, the NHC is monitoring a separate low-pressure system near the Yucatan Peninsula. This system is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms and is expected to move west-northwest across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. However, it has only a 20% chance of developing into a tropical storm over the next week.

As Erin continues to strengthen, the NHC advises residents in affected areas to prepare for potential impacts. The agency recommends securing disaster supplies and reviewing flood insurance policies, as there is often a 30-day waiting period for coverage to take effect.