Hurricane Erin strengthens to become a powerful category 4 storm as it approaches the Caribbean region.
In the western Atlantic, Hurricane Erin continues its journey, currently located between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda. As of late August 2025, the hurricane is moving generally northward and then curving northeast, forecast to gradually weaken over the next few days and become post-tropical by Saturday.
Hurricane Erin is a large system, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 105 miles and tropical storm-force winds up to 320 miles from the center. Maximum sustained winds are currently at 130 mph, making it a category 4 storm [1].
The storm's proximity to Caribbean islands has raised concerns, as it skirts past them without making landfall. However, the forecast suggests that Erin will remain distant from these islands. Bermuda, on the other hand, lies near the projected path, posing a potential threat primarily from high winds, heavy surf, and storm surge due to the hurricane's size.
The National Hurricane Center has warned of possible flooding and landslides due to Hurricane Erin. As a precaution, more than 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies have been deployed to Puerto Rico. A flood watch has been issued for the entire U.S. territory of Puerto Rico from late Friday into Monday, and tropical storm watches are in place for St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, and Sint Maarten.
In Puerto Rico, 367 shelters have been inspected and could be opened if needed. Six seaports in Puerto Rico and two in the U.S. Virgin Islands have been closed to all incoming vessels unless they have received prior authorization.
The 2021 hurricane season is expected to be unusually busy, with the forecast calling for six to 10 hurricanes this season. Three to five of these hurricanes are predicted to reach major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph).
Hurricane specialist Michael Lowry predicts that Hurricane Erin will take a sharp turn northeast, potentially putting it on a path between the U.S. and Bermuda. However, the storm is forecast to weaken as it approaches and passes by Bermuda, reducing the intensity of any impacts.
As the storm moves away from the continental United States, it is being steered by a high-pressure system in the Atlantic and a cold front pushing it further offshore. Hurricane Erin is not forecast to hit land, but its large size and proximity to Bermuda make it a concern for the island and surrounding Atlantic islands.
[1] Source: National Hurricane Center (NHC) updates
Note: This article is a computer-generated summary and may not contain all the details provided in the original information. It is intended to provide a concise overview of the current status and forecast of Hurricane Erin.
Environmental scientists are closely monitoring Hurricane Erin, given its size and projected path towards Bermuda. As meteorologists predict a shift in its trajectory towards the north-east, the impact of the weather on the environment could potentially increase, particularly with regards to storm surge, high winds and heavy surf. Meanwhile, the Hurricane Center's predictions suggest that Erin will weaken as it approaches Bermuda, reducing the severity of its environmental effects.
