Forecasters say Tropical Storm Erin has formed in the eastern tropical Atlantic and could reach hurricane strength later in the week

Tropical Storm Erin has formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Monday, becoming the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Erin is forecast to gradually intensify and could become a hurricane by the end of the week, forecasters predicted.

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.