Invest 98L, the tropical system that emerged near Mexico early Wednesday, Aug. 13, is tracking toward Texas. Will it impact the state?

Powerful Hurricane Erin has undergone a period of astonishingly rapid intensification — a phenomenon that has become far more common in recent years as the planet warms. It is now a rare Category 5, churning through the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean.

Over the weekend, northern portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are expected to receive tropical rain ranging from 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches. Flash flooding, landslides and mudslides will be the main concerns over the next several days.

Watch a live tracker of Hurricane Erin as it moves through the northeast Caribbean. The first Atlantic hurricane of the year is not expected to hit land.

The storm is expected to continue strengthening until it reaches Category 4 strength, with windspeeds around 145 mph.

Hurricane Erin is bringing heavy rain to the U.S. Virgin Islands on Saturday as the Category 5 storm moves through the Caribbean

Hurricane Erin has surged to Category 4 storm status and could bring dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore next week as it remains far out to see.