It continues to push toward the northern Leeward Islands, where tropical storm watches are now in effect as of the 8 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. Intensification is expected as Erin moves toward warmer ocean temperatures over the next several days.

Hurricane Erin is strengthening. Erin is expected to become a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along the U.S. coast. Erin became the Atlantic season's first hurricane as expected late Friday,