Tropical Storm Erika continues to weaken

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Tropical Storm Erika is moving over the Eastern Caribbean Sea and is slowly weakening, forecasters said Thursday.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 11 a.m., Erika is moving west-northwest at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds at 40 mph, 200 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The official forecast cone from the NHC indicates that it will continue to move northwest over the next 24 to 48 hours, and by next week it can be close to Florida, but if sheared by the terrain of the Greater Antilles, it could weaken to nothing more than an un-named tropical depression.

At 11 a.m., a Tropical Storm warning has been issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

A Tropical Storm warning remains in effect for: Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius.

A Tropical Storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 24 hours. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.

Erika could grow stronger in the next couple of days, but the NHC is keeping it as a Tropical Storm for now. The U.S., the British Virgin islands, the Dominican Republic and Haiti should monitor the progress of Erika.

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