(CNN) — Hurricane Erin is rapidly intensifying as it tracks above the northeastern Caribbean Saturday, churning up rough surf and sending rain and gusty winds to islands south of its path.

Erin has become a rare Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds near 160 mph as of late Saturday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm’s winds more than doubled in speed in 24 hours: Erin was a 70 mph tropical storm at 8 a.m. Friday.

Additional strengthening, powered up by the warmer than normal Atlantic, is expected Saturday afternoon.

Fluctuations in intensity are expected for the rest of the weekend. By the middle of next week, Erin is forecast to at least double or triple in size, which will result in rough ocean conditions over the western Atlantic.

Erin is located abo

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