Miami, August 26 (RHC)-- Tropical Storm Erika is becoming better organized and stronger as it moves west at 17 mph towards the northern Caribbean. According to weather forecasters, the storm could pass to the north of Cuba and approach the U.S. state of Florida by late this weekend.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Puerto Rico and the northern Leeward Islands, including the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, with the Bahamas squarely in Erika’s path this weekend.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph and Miami's National Hurricane Center forecasts slow but steady intensification to hurricane strength by Sunday, when it forecasts the storm to be approaching Florida. But there is significant uncertainty in both the storm’s track and intensity forecast and a Florida landfall is by no means an inevitability.