Hurricane Forecast: Current Trajectory of Tropical Storm Erin and Estimated Time for Strengthening
Hurricane Erin, which rapidly intensified into a major hurricane, has been making its way along the U.S. East Coast, causing significant impacts, particularly in the form of dangerous rip currents.
The tropical storm formed near Cape Verde on August 11 and became a hurricane on August 15. It reached its peak intensity on August 16, reaching Category 5 strength with peak sustained winds of 160 mph, northeast of Puerto Rico. After a period of eye wall replacement and environmental changes, it weakened to a Category 2 hurricane while paralleling the U.S. East Coast.
Hurricane-force winds extended 105 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extended about 320 miles. A storm surge warning was issued for the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, and the large storm generated life-threatening surf and rip currents along much of the eastern U.S. coast.
Despite steering away from direct landfall due to a high-pressure system and a cold front, Erin has caused coastal flooding and hazardous marine conditions. It is important to note that the storm did not pose a direct threat to the U.S., but any deviation east or west could have led to significant impacts.
As of now, from August 21 to August 27, Erin is expected to bring a high risk of rip currents to the East Coast. This weekend, Erin's outer bands are forecast to lash Puerto Rico, bringing heavy rain, tropical storm-force wind gusts, and a high risk of rip currents.
By Friday morning, Erin is forecast to strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. By Sunday morning, Hurricane Erin is expected to become a major Category 3 hurricane. There is a chance Erin could bring a few light rain showers to parts of the East Coast.
Meteorologists are closely watching Erin as it moves away from the U.S., with the vast majority of meteorological modeling predicting that it will remain over the ocean between Bermuda and the East Coast. The National Hurricane Center had earlier predicted an above-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic, making it crucial for coastal communities to stay vigilant and prepared.
[1] National Hurricane Center
[2] Weather Channel
[3] AccuWeather
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