TAMPA, Fla. - The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Erin is gaining strength over the Atlantic and should soon become a hurricane before intensifying into a major storm this weekend.

Tropical Storm Erin's track

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Erin was located at 16.7N and 51.2W with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.

The storm is moving west at 17 mph.

FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says Erin is looking stronger as it moves into more favorable conditions for intensification, including warmer water and light wind shear.

The storm should strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by Friday, then a major Category 3 storm north of the Caribbean this weekend.

As for where the storm is likely headed, models are in agreement that Erin will turn north this weekend into early next wee

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