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.

The chances that rain and wind from Tropical Storm Erin will hit the East Coast have risen slightly this week.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Erin is expected to begin strengthening today, Aug. 13 and become a hurricane Friday, Aug. 15, and a strong Category 3 hurricane by Sunday, Aug. 17 as it moves out of an area with dry area and "marginal" sea surface temperatures.

The first hurricane of the season is likely to form in the Atlantic Ocean Over the next few days or so. Tropical Storm Erin has not become any stronger today, but it will soon. The most likely path will take the storm just north of the Caribbean,

Here's a look at what to expect in Wilmington this weekend as Tropical Storm Erin continues to swirl in the Atlantic Ocean.

As of the latest advisory on Aug. 11, Invest 97L has a high chance — 90% — chance of strengthening in the next seven days.

The National Hurricane Center is predicting Invest 97L could become a tropical depression or tropical storm as early as later this morning, Aug. 11.

Erin has strengthened into a hurricane as it approaches Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, bringing heavy rains that could cause flooding and landslides.