Most of Erin’s intensification occurred during a 12- to 15-hour window overnight, according to Dan Pydynowski, a meteorologist at AccuWeather. By 5 p.m. Friday, Erin’s winds had remained only 75 mph.

Forecasters said Erin should begin to slowly weaken as it increased wind shear. However, it's predicted to remain a major hurricane until late next week.

Hurricane Erin pelted parts of the Caribbean and was forecast to create dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast this week.

Hurricane Erin grew larger and more powerful Monday, lashing parts of the Caribbean and expected to drive hazardous surf and rip currents along the US East Coast later this week. The storm regained Category 4 strength with top sustained winds near 130 mph (215 kph) as it moved closer to the southeastern Bahamas,

The storm is expected to continue to fluctuate in intensity and could double or even triple in size as it moves north and west, reports said.

Erin is a Category 3 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. ET update Sunday, with sustained winds of 125 mph and tropical storm-force winds reaching out 205 miles. The storm is expected to continue to fluctuate in intensity and could double or even triple in size as it moves north and west,