Tropical Storm Erin is continuing to pick up strength as it moves across the Atlantic, with forecasters expecting the storm to officially strengthen into a hurricane on Friday, Aug. 15, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to intensify to hurricane status later today and could bring rough surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore by next week.

Erin has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, with several areas already on alert for heavy rain and strong waves and rip currents possible along the East Coast of the United States as early as next week. Hurricane Erin is a Category 1 storm with winds up to 75 mph.