Erin strengthens into Category 1 hurricane
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It continues to push toward the northern Leeward Islands, where tropical storm watches are now in effect as of the 8 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. Intensification is expected as Erin moves toward warmer ocean temperatures over the next several days.
Erin has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season with strong waves and rip currents possible along the East Coast of the United States as early as next week.
The NHC said it currently expected Erin to become a Category 4 storm later Saturday but to eventually swerve away from the continental United States.