(NEW YORK) -- Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season by Thursday and could become a major Category 3 hurricane by Sunday.
But as of now, Erin is not expected to pose a direct threat to the U.S.
The forecast path takes Erin north of the Caribbean Islands, including Puerto Rico.
Next week, Erin is expected to start to turn north, but it's too early to know if Erin will hit Bermuda or stay further west, closer to the U.S. coastline.
Because Erin is still more than one week away, meteorologists in Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast will be watching the storm closely, as any deviation east or west could lead to significant impacts.
Erin is forecast to bring dangerous rip currents to the East Coast, especially from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast, from Aug. 21 to Aug. 25.
The National Hurricane Center predicted an above-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic.
August, September and October are the most active months of the Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on Nov. 30.