Hurricane Erin is expected to intensify, despite being downgraded to a category three storm as it moves towards the Bahamian Archipelago in the Caribbean. The storm became a rare category five cyclone on Saturday night, with winds up to 160mph (260km/h), but meteorologists expect it to grow in size as it develops over the next few days.

Hurricane Erin dramatically shifts trajectory after lashing the Caribbean with rain and high winds - Category 2 hurricane could bring ‘life-threatening surf and rip currents’ across the U.S., Bahamas,

Erin is expected to reach major hurricane intensity this weekend as it tracks just north of the Caribbean islands, where it could bring rain, gusty winds and high surf.Erin's longer-term future through next week is still somewhat uncertain,

Tropical Storm Erin on Wednesday continued to push west through the Atlantic with it forecast to become the season’s first hurricane, growing to major hurricane strength by the weekend,

The Outer Banks is also under a tropical storm warning; Erin is forecast to hit the islands with heavy rain and rough winds on Wednesday night. Erin will intensify on Wednesday, and its wind field will widen significantly,

Forecasts nudge Erin's likely path to the west, increasing the risks at U.S. beaches. Tropical storm conditions are expected in North Carolina's Outer Banks starting late Wednesday.