At 200 PM AST (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 15.3 North, longitude 51.8 West, about 640MI east of the Leeward Islands. Erika is moving toward the west near 20 mph (31 km/h), and a west-northwestward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will be near the Leeward Islands Wednesday night and early Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is possible during the next 48 hours. An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to
investigate Erika later this afternoon.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb (29.62 inches).

Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch
area by Wednesday night or early Thursday.