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

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to begin strengthening and is likely to become a hurricane in the next 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Erin formed on Monday in the far eastern Atlantic and is forecast to reach major hurricane strength by this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.