ORLANDO, Fla. - Tropical Storm Erin is gaining strength in the Atlantic and is expected to become the first hurricane of the 2025 season by Friday, forecasters said. Here is the latest hurricane forecast, timeline, spaghetti models and potential Florida impact.

What to Expect:

Tropical Storm Erin, located about 1,200 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, is producing maximum sustained winds near 50 mph and is moving west at 17 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 5 p.m. advisory.

Gradual strengthening is expected over the next couple of days, and Erin is forecast to become the season's first hurricane by Friday and reach major hurricane strength later this weekend.

On its current forecast track, the storm's center is expected to move near or just north of the northern Leeward Islands over the weekend.

Forecasters say Erin will maintain a general westward motion through Thursday before turning west-northwest Thursday night and into the weekend.

Most forecast models suggest the storm will curve between two high-pressure systems along the East Coast, but it is still too early to determine exactly how close Erin will get to the U.S. coast.

Meteorologists caution that the forecast is 7 or more days out, leaving significant uncertainty in the track and potential impacts.

What to Expect:

Even if Erin remains offshore, forecasters warn that dangerous rip currents and high surf are expected along Florida's coast as the storm approaches the western Atlantic.

The potential for rainfall or other direct impacts to the state remains uncertain and will become clearer heading into the weekend.

Authorities urge residents to monitor updates and be prepared for changing conditions.