Erin, the first hurricane of the season, exploded to a Category 5 hurricane Saturday, and despite fluctuations in intensity, the storm is remaining formidable this weekend. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.

BEAUMONT, Texas — Tropical Storm Erin is moving quickly westward across the Atlantic Ocean and could strengthen into a hurricane by late Thursday, prompting the National Hurricane Center to advise residents of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to monitor the storm's progress.

Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to rapidly strengthen into a hurricane this weekend as it nears the northeastern Caribbean and Bahamas, raising concerns for strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous surf along the islands.

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.

A Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas cruise from Baltimore to Bermuda will now head to Florida in order to avoid Tropical Storm Erin.

Tropical Storm Erin on Tuesday continued to push west through the Atlantic as the National Hurricane Center forecasted it to become a major hurricane with Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands in its potential path.

Erin, the first hurricane of the season, is now a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.