Erin is now a Category 4 hurricane after gaining strength overnight. It has been battling dust and wind shear but it’s now in a favorable spot and forecast to strengthen more over the weekend.

Hurricane Hunters flying in the storm this morning found sustained winds up to 130 mph with stronger gusts. Erin’s eyewall is also looking more defined as pressure steadily drops, now down to 948 mb.

Hurricane Erin will pass north of the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend.

The storm will bring dangerous surf and rip currents across the Caribbean before spreading to the Bahamas, Bermuda and up the East Coast next week.

Models are in good agreement with Erin moving between the Bahamas and Bermuda before curving it back out to the Atlantic.

Hurricane Hunters are set to fly into Erin again on Saturday. We’ll keep you updated.