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.

Erin has intensified to a Category Four Hurricane as it makes its way toward the East Coast of the United States.

The NHC said it currently expected Erin to become a Category 4 storm later Saturday but to eventually swerve away from the continental United States.

CNN By CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert, Allison Chinchar, Rebekah Riess, Andrew Freedman, CNN (CNN) — Powerful Hurricane Erin has undergone a period of astonishingly rapid intensification — a phenomenon that has become far more common in recent years as the planet warms.

Erin rapidly intensified into a major hurricane overnight. While Erin is forecast to remain well east of Florida, there will be coastal impacts as incoming large swells arrive next week and produce a HIGH risk of rip currents,

Hurricane Erin intensified into a Category 4 storm. Though not expected to make landfall, Erin will create dangerous rip currents next week.