Atlantic's initial hurricane of the season, Tropical Storm Erin, forecasted to transform into a hurricane by Friday.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has seen its first significant storm, as Tropical Storm Erin rapidly intensified into Hurricane Erin, reaching Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 160 mph northeast of Puerto Rico.
As of Thursday morning, the center of Erin was about 990 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands in the West Indies. The predicted path showed Erin moving offshore, passing southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and west-northwest of Bermuda, then curving northeastward into the North Atlantic. A high-pressure system and a cold front steered Erin away from the U.S. coastline, preventing landfall and pushing the storm northeastward over open waters beyond Atlantic Canada.
Erin's rapid intensification was aided by favourable environmental factors, including light wind shear, a compact storm structure, and unusually warm sea surface temperatures attributed to climate change. This increased its top wind speed by about 9 mph beyond natural conditions. In just over 24 hours, Erin's wind speeds increased by roughly 85 mph, qualifying as extreme rapid intensification.
The storm caused tropical storm conditions in the Caribbean islands and the U.S. East Coast, with coastal flooding and power outages reported in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. However, it spared the U.S. mainland from a direct hit, making its closest approach about 200 miles southeast of the Outer Banks, North Carolina.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an above-normal season for the Atlantic basin this year, with the expected number of named storms ranging between 13 and 18. Five to nine of these predicted storms could become hurricanes.
Tropical Storm Erin formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Monday, and as of now, it is expected to become the Atlantic's first hurricane of the season by Friday. The National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center are closely monitoring the storm's progress.
In Cabo Verde, at least eight people were killed due to the storm, and officials declared a state of emergency as crews dealt with the damage. Drone video footage posted to social media showed the aftermath of flooding from the storm in the region.
Alex Sundby, a senior editor at ourNews.com, who covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather, among other topics, reported on the developing situation. Erielle Delzer and Nikki Nolan also contributed to this report.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Ocean has already seen six hurricanes this year. A tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm when its maximum sustained wind speeds reach at least 39 mph. The northern Leewards, a string of islands stretching from the Virgin Islands to Guadeloupe, including Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barts, Antigua and Barbuda, and several others, are also keeping a watchful eye on the storm's progress.
The hurricane center forecasts gradual strengthening of Tropical Storm Erin during the next day or so, with more significant intensification possible on Friday and Saturday. Residents along the U.S. East Coast and Caribbean islands are urged to stay informed and heed any warnings or advisories issued by local authorities.
- The rapid intensification and potential further strengthening of Tropical Storm Erin might lead to breaking news regarding crime, as desperate individuals may commit acts of lawlessness in the face of severe weather conditions and potential power outages.
- As Tropical Storm Erin moves northeastward into the North Atlantic, weather updates will remain crucial, and the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center's continuous monitoring become essential parts of ongoing news coverage.
- While the Atlantic Ocean has seen its first hurricane of the season in Erin, the Pacific Ocean has already witnessed six hurricanes. This raises questions about climate change's impact on weather patterns and the potential for increased instances of crime due to extreme weather events.
