By The Associated Press Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 hurricane Sunday as its outer bands continued to lash the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with heavy rains and tropical-storm force

Erin is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year, and meteorologists are closely tracking its path and forecast.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for St. Martin, St. Barthélemy and Sint Maarten, but the storm should largely spare the Lesser Antilles. Puerto Rico could see rain showers and blustery winds,