Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later this week in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Erin, still far in the east-central Atlantic, is forecast to intensify into a major Category 3 hurricane by this weekend, but a big turn to the north is still expected before the

Erin is expected to gradually strengthen over the coming days, with forecasters predicting it could reach hurricane status by late in the week.