Hurricane Erin
- Category 2
Hurricane Erin is currently impacting the western Atlantic near Bermuda and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The large hurricane's outer bands are expected to bring deteriorating weather conditions to the North Carolina coast by this evening. Beachgoers are advised against swimming due to life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Warnings are in effect for North Carolina, with a Storm Surge Warning from Cape Lookout to Duck and a Tropical Storm Warning from Beaufort Inlet to the Virginia border. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect further north to Chincoteague, Virginia, and for Bermuda. Residents in these areas should be attentive to local advisories.
Erin is moving north-northwest at 13 mph but is expected to turn northeast by Friday, passing south of Atlantic Canada over the weekend. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the North Carolina Outer Banks late Wednesday and may extend to Virginia and Bermuda by Thursday and Friday. Dangerous swells from Erin are impacting the Bahamas, east coast of the U.S., and Atlantic Canada.
Hurricane Erin is impacting the US East Coast, bringing dangerous beach conditions and causing concerns for coastal communities. Massachusetts is witnessing particularly severe impacts, leading to officials closing numerous beaches and issuing warnings about powerful rip currents and high surf. The hurricane's intensity has caused disruptions to summer celebrations, as safety measures take precedence to protect residents and tourists from the hazardous weather conditions. Emergency services are closely monitoring the weather developments to provide timely updates and support to affected areas.
The hurricane's path remains unpredictable, with recent shifts prompting new tropical storm warnings along the coast. Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and adhere to safety instructions, as the situation can evolve rapidly. Hurricane Erin's progression and impact underscore the need for preparedness during the Atlantic hurricane season, as communities brace for potential further disruptions. While meteorologists track the storm's movements, cooperation from the public is essential to mitigate risks and ensure safety for all those in the estimated path of the hurricane.
Invest 99L
In the aftermath of Hurricane Erin, weather experts are turning their attention to two new tropical disturbances developing in the Atlantic Ocean. Invest 99L, alongside another system, are gaining attention due to their potential for formation as they move through regions favorable for storm development. These disturbances, although currently in their early stages, highlight the unpredictable nature of the Atlantic hurricane season, which continues to pose challenges for meteorologists. As these systems progress, tracking their paths becomes critical to predict possible impacts on land and prepare necessary precautions.
Despite the potential threats posed by these tropical waves, they face a challenging path ahead. Forecasters note that both disturbances must overcome certain atmospheric conditions, such as dry air and unfavorable wind shear, which could hinder their development into more organized systems. As the National Hurricane Center keeps close watch, coastal communities in vulnerable areas are advised to stay informed about any updates regarding the systems' intensification. The recent surge in tropical activity signals the peak phase of the hurricane season, underscoring the importance of preparedness for regions susceptible to tropical storm impacts.
August 20, 2025, at 5:00 AM EDT
Hurricane Erin is currently located near 28.9N 73.3W, approximately 480 nautical miles west-southwest of Bermuda, moving north-northwest at 11 knots. The hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 85 knots with gusts up to 105 knots, and peak seas near 44 feet close to the center. Erin is expected to shift its direction towards north and north-northeast today, accelerating towards the northeast by Thursday and Friday. The hurricane will move over the western Atlantic between the United States east coast and Bermuda then pass south of Atlantic Canada by the weekend. Erin's swells will impact the Bahamas, Bermuda, the east coast of the U.S., and Atlantic Canada, creating life-threatening surf and rip currents. Further details are available from the National Hurricane Center's website.
In the tropical wave updates, a far eastern Atlantic wave is moving westward with moderate to strong convection, but conditions are expected to become less favorable for its development by the week's end. Another wave in the central Atlantic might gradually develop, potentially forming a tropical depression later this week. Meanwhile, a new wave has entered the eastern Caribbean with no significant convection.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.
Named Storms: 13 to 19
Hurricanes: 6 to 10
Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 3 to 5
Accumulate Cyclone Energy (ACE): 95% to 180% of the median
This forecast indicates a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30Key: Active Past Future
*Press/click the storm name to view additional details2020 - 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina (2005) - $125 billion
Harvey (2017) - $125 billion
Hurricane Patricia (2015) - 215 mph (345 km/h)
Hurricane Allen (1980) - 190 mph (305 km/h)
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating system that classifies hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds and the potential damage they can cause. It helps communicate the intensity of hurricanes and the likely impacts on structures and environments. The scale does not account for factors like storm surge or rainfall, focusing only on wind speeds.
Watching the Tropics was originally built as a personal storm tracker with only the most important charts for the Atlantic hurricane basin. Numerous sites are available for tracking hurricanes, but Watching the Tropics minimizes extra "noise" and shows only what you need.
Designed in Florida by
"Watching the tropics" refers to monitoring tropical weather systems, such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes, in regions close to the equator. Meteorologists and weather enthusiasts often use this phrase during hurricane season to indicate that they're keeping an eye on developing weather systems that could potentially strengthen and impact areas like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
Websites, news outlets, or weather services also use "Tropics Watch" to keep the public informed about the latest developments in the tropics, especially during peak hurricane season.
An "invest" refers to an area of disturbed weather that meteorologists are investigating for potential tropical development. The term "invest" is short for "investigation area."
When an area is designated as an invest, it is given a number (between 90 and 99) followed by the letter "L" for systems in the North Atlantic or "E" for systems in the Eastern Pacific. For example, "Invest 91L" would refer to the 91st area of interest in the Atlantic basin for that season.
The designation of an invest allows meteorologists to focus their resources on a specific area, utilize specialized forecasting models, and issue updates as needed.
A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (34 knots or 63 km/h).
Key characteristics:
It's the first stage of development in the tropical cyclone classification used by the National Hurricane Center, followed by tropical storm and then hurricane.
