Tropical Storm Erin is still expected to become the first Atlantic hurricane of the season.
Erin continued its trek westward Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour as of the 10am advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The center of Erin was located about 1,300 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands.
The tropical storm is expected to to pick up strength next week and could become a Category 3 hurricane by Sunday.
Forecasters predict, however, that Erin will swerve north of the islands, and say it's too soon to know if the storm will make landfall.
Courtesy: Tomar Burg
Models at this time suggest that Erin will curve away from the U.S. East Coast.
Forecasters have also highlighted an area in the extreme southwestern Gulf for possible development.
"A tropical wave near the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms this morning," said the NHC. "This disturbance is forecast to move west-northwestward and cross the Yucatan Peninsula today with no significant increase in organization. Some development of this system is possible after it emerges across the southwestern Gulf beginning on Thursday while the system moves to the west-northwest or northwest at 10 to 15 mph."
There are no current threats to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Residents are advised to review their hurricane plans as the peak of the season approaches.
The hurricane season ends on November 30.