Tropical Storm Erin to strengthen into a hurricane Fri.
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The Weather Channel on MSNErin Upgraded To A Rare Category 5 Hurricane; Heavy Rain Threat In Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Erin, the first hurricane of the season, is now a powerful Category 5 hurricane. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.
As of Saturday morning, Erin has become a Category 5 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are at 160 mph, and the storm is moving west-northwest at 17 mph with a lower pressure down to 917 mb. Erin is encountering warmer ocean water as it moves closer to the northernmost Leeward Islands. Hurricane Hunters are currently investigating the storm.
Tropical Storm Erin is approaching Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, bringing heavy rains that could cause flooding and landslides
Hurricane Erin became a catastrophic Category 5 storm before noon on Saturday, Aug. 16, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Erin's maximum sustained winds are 160 mph – a Category 5 hurricane is one with winds of 157 mph or higher.
Hurricane Erin, now a Category 5 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 160-mph, is expected to continue strengthening.
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,