Tropical Storm Erin, still far in the east-central Atlantic, is forecast to intensify into a major Category 3 hurricane by this weekend, but a big turn to the north is still expected before the

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later this week in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hatched areas on the National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone — which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane — could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome.