Tropical Storm Erin, still far in the east-central Atlantic, is forecast to intensify into a major Category 3 hurricane by this weekend, but a big turn to the north is still expected before the

Tropical Storm Erin formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Monday, forecasters said. The storm was expected to strengthen later in the week and could become the Atlantic's first hurricane of the season.

Erin is expected to gradually strengthen over the coming days, with forecasters predicting it could reach hurricane status by late in the week.