Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane on Friday, Aug. 15, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of Friday morning, Tropical Storm Erin is just under hurricane status with 70 mph sustained maximum wind speeds. It's currently located 520 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands and is traveling west-northwest at 17 mph, according to the 8 a.m. ET Friday NHC forecast.

Erin’s sustained winds increased to 70 mph, just 4 mph shy of hurricane strength. The hurricane center said Erin should continue to strengthen through the weekend, when it should be moving near or north of the Leeward Islands, according to the official forecast path.