Hurricane Erin is remaining a rare Category 5 hurricane as it passes north of the Northern Leeward Islands.

Erin became a Category 3 hurricane in the Caribbean early Saturday and is expected to strengthen further during the day, the National Hurricane Center reported.

As of late Wednesday morning, Erin is about 1,200 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, moving a touch south of due west at 15 to 20 miles per hour.