This browser does not support the Video element.
Tropical Storm Erin on track to be first major hurricane of the season
FOX 13 meteorologist Jim Weber has the very latest on Tropical Storm Erin and other activity in the tropics.
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 week, staying well east of the U.S.
The expected turn is due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge, according to FOX 13 meteorologists.
Forecasters say Erin should slide about halfway between Bermuda and the outer banks of North Carolina, if the current track holds.
FOX 13 Meteorologist Nash Rhodes says tropical storm-force winds are possible in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the northern Leeward Islands this weekend as Erin passes nearby.
Beyond that point, there's more variability in the forecast. Potential impacts along the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda next week will depend on Erin’s exact path, according to Rhodes.
Other tropical activity
The NHC is also watching Invest 98L near the west coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, giving it a 20% chance of development in the next seven days.
The broad area of low pressure still has a small chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm before moving ashore along the coastline of Mexico or Texas.
Regardless of development, it is not expected to become a strong system and will bring no impacts to Florida.
The next name on the 2025 storm naming list is Fernand.
Tampa Bay area weather
In the Tampa Bay area, conditions will remain hot and sticky on Thursday with a few slow-moving storms and a high of about 93 degrees in Tampa.
The Source: This story was written with information from FOX 13 meteorologists and the National Hurricane Center.
This browser does not support the Video element.