Tropical Storm Erin has begun strengthening as it streaks west across the Atlantic and is on track to reach hurricane status as soon as Friday, prompting tropical storm watches in the northern Leeward Islands.

Over the weekend, northern portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are expected to receive tropical rain ranging from 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches. Flash flooding, landslides and mudslides will be the main concerns over the next several days.

BUT LET’S GO OUT INTO THE WESTERN ATLANTIC, BECAUSE I DO WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE WITH MAJOR HURRICANE AARON. THIS THING HAS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED. IT WENT FROM A TROPICAL STORM YESTERDAY MORNING TO A CATEGORY FOUR,

Erin, the first hurricane of the season, is now a powerful Category 5 hurricane. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.

Erin continues to move into warmer waters and is expected to become a major hurricane over the weekend. The track continues to pull the storm slightly closer to the Caribbean, so some impacts are possible,