Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm as it tracks above the northeastern Caribbean, churning up rough surf and sending rain and gusty winds to islands south of its path.

Current land impacts in the forecast include potential heavy rainfall Friday night through Sunday for the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.