Erin is expected to strengthen rapidly this weekend, potentially intensifying to a major Category 4 hurricane. After departing the Caribbean , Erin will set its sights on the East Coast of the United States, with the severity of impacts dependent on its track.

"Erin is moving into a zone of warm water and low wind shear that were already fostering strengthening while east of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean ," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. Erin strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane on Friday morning, marking the first storm to reach hurricane status this season in the Atlantic basin.

How long Erin tracks west before turning to the north will determine how close it comes to the East Coast and Bermuda and how widespread the impacts may be next week.

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