Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 storm. It is not expected to make a direct hit on the U.S. but will create dangerous surf.

Tropical Storm Erin is slightly intensifying and forecast to become a hurricane Friday with a chance of ultimately affecting the U.S. East Coast next week.

Tropical Storm Erin, now spinning far out in the central Atlantic Ocean, could undergo rapid intensification into a powerful 125-mph hurricane.