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.

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.

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