Erin, the first hurricane of the season, exploded to a Category 5 hurricane Saturday, and despite fluctuations in intensity, the storm is remaining formidable this weekend. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.

Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to become a hurricane within the next 24 hours or so as it heads west-northwestward toward the continental U.S.

Erin is producing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a central pressure of 940 mb. The storm is moving west‑northwest at 14 mph (22 km/h). Outer rainbands have been producing gusty winds and heavy rainfall across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico since Saturday night.

The threat for coastal hazards continues to increase,” Outer Banks officials said Saturday as Hurricane Erin will bring 12-foot high breaking waves and flooding to the North Carolina

Hurricane Erin is expected to double or triple in size and although it may not make landfall, it will affect most of the East Coast beaches beginning Monday.