TROPICAL STORM ERIKA, the fifth named storm of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season, has grown slightly stronger, the US National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday.
At 8 a.m. the storm was located about 335 miles (540 km) east of Antigua, with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (75 kph), the Miami-based weather forecaster said.
“Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours,” the NHC added.
Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the Leeward Islands tonight, and reach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday.
Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of two to four inches with maximum amounts of eight inches across portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Friday morning. (Reuters/NB)
