The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Erin is starting to gain strength over the Atlantic and should soon become a hurricane before intensifying into a major storm this weekend.

Tropical Storm Erin formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Monday, forecasters said. The storm could strengthen to become the Atlantic's first hurricane of the season.

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.