South Florida is not expected to see direct impacts from Hurricane Erin, but rip currents and surf up to 6 feet, especially along Palm Beach, are expected.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic on the heels of Hurricane Erin that could strengthen into a depression later this week.

Hurricane Erin strengthened 85 mph in 24 hours to a 160 mph Category 5 hurricane putting in fourth place for rapidly intensifying storms.

Hurricane Erin, now classified as a major hurricane, is under close observation by Hurricane Hunters. The storm’s wind field has grown to about 400 miles with tropical storm-force winds.

As Hurricane Erin tracks northward in the Atlantic, its broad wind field is expected to churn up rough seas and dangerous rip currents along Florida’s east coast this week, forecasters and county officials warned.

This past weekend, Hurricane Erin went through one of the most rapid intensifications of any Atlantic hurricane on record. Climate change and other factors may make such leaps more common in