Tropical Storm Erin churned quickly westward over the Atlantic Ocean between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Northern Lesser Antilles on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Erin was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 36.3°W which put the center about 1765 miles (2835 km) east of the Northern Lesser Antilles.  Erin was moving toward the west at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Erin moved into a region of drier air on Monday night.  The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Erin’s circulation to dissipate.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Erin consisted primarily of bands of showers and lower clouds on Tuesday morning.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in some of the rainbands.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern half of Tropical Storm Erin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Erin’s circulation.  The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Erin were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Erin will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Erin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Erin’s circulation.  The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east.  So, there will be little vertical wind shear.  Erin will continue to move through the region of drier air today.  The drier air will inhibit intensification in the short term.  Tropical Storm Erin is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.  Erin will move over warmer water later this week.  Tropical Storm Erin is likely to strengthen to a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Erin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Erin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Erin will move toward the Northern Lesser Antilles.  Erin could approach the Northern Lesser Antilles at the end of this week.