Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to become the season’s first hurricane by Thursday. The storm, which earned a name early Monday and is churning in the open Atlantic, could strengthen into a major hurricane of at least Category 3 strength by this weekend.

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

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