MIAMI – After undergoing rapid strengthening overnight Friday into Saturday, Hurricane Erin is now a Category 5 storm with core winds approaching 160 mph. Erin is the first major Category 3+ Atlantic hurricane of the year and the first to reach Category 5 strength since Hurricane Milton did on October 9, 2024 – 311 days ago.
Erin formed as a weak tropical storm Monday morning roughly 500 miles west of the Atlantic African coast and struggled to keep itself together through the first three days of its life as it battled against dry air and wind shear. The storm entered favorable territory for rapid strengthening yesterday, and quickly became the strongest storm of the 2025 season so far as it skirts north of the Caribbean.
Fortunately, Erin is not expected to impact the U.S. mainland – including the Carolinas – directly. However, beachgoers, especially along the Outer Banks, should watch out for rough surf and dangerous rip currents this coming week.
