Erin, the first hurricane of the season, exploded to a Category 5 hurricane Saturday, and despite fluctuations in intensity, the storm is remaining formidable this weekend. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.

Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 hurricane overnight, but still remains a formidable major hurricane. Erin had max winds of 125 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in a 5 a.m. ET update. The next update is expected at 8 a.m. ET.

Heavy rains are forecast to start with the storm expected to become a major Category 3 storm over the weekend.

Weather experts on the Leeward Islands, including Puerto Rico, are keeping close watch as Erin lurches toward the Caribbean and is on track to become a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm Erin -- which is forecast to strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season by Saturday morning -- won't have a direct impact on the U.S., but it will bring dangerous rip currents to the East Coast.