Hurricane Erin forms in Atlantic

Erin strengthens into the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season with forecasts showing a northward, offshore path.

Hurricane Erin forms in Atlantic as first 2025 season hurricane

Erin strengthened into a hurricane Friday in the Atlantic. It is the first hurricane of the 2025 season and has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, classifying it as a Category 1 storm. The center says Erin is about 460 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands and moving west-northwest at 18 mph. Forecasters expect Erin to strengthen and possibly reach major hurricane strength, though no U.S. landfall is currently forecast. Caribbean islands are urged to monitor Erin for heavy rainfall and dangerous surf and rip currents.

Forecasts show Erin could curve north and stay well offshore of the U.S. East Coast, a pattern common when storms reach the higher latitudes. Spaghetti model maps illustrate a spread of possible tracks, most of which keep Erin away from populated shores for now. The season's early signs point to a busy year with several named storms, a reminder that even storms far offshore can disrupt travel and local economies. The broader context is clear: NOAA expects above normal activity between 13 and 18 named storms, with five to nine becoming hurricanes and two to five turning into major hurricanes. That mix means steady vigilance, especially for Caribbean communities that face rainfall, flooding risk, and coastal hazards even when a storm does not make direct landfall.

Highlights

The weather calendar is just starting to turn, and preparations remain essential.