MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- The trend of more frequently forming tropical systems in the Atlantic Ocean in late summer is right on cue Monday with the formation of Tropical Storm Erika.
Late Monday night, the newest tropical storm was located about 950 miles from the Leeward Islands , moving west at 20 mph as of Monday night. The storm had peak sustained winds of 45 mph.
The forecast track for Erika is similar to the one for its predecessor, the now-defunct Danny. Erika will move west or west-northwest through the southern latitudes of the North Atlantic over the next few days. Gradual strengthening is expected, and Erika may reach strength just below hurricane level by Wednesday evening.
There is a chance for Erika to reach hurricane status, despite the official forecast peaking the storm at 70-mph winds.
