Tropical Storm Erin forms in Atlantic, expected to approach Leeward Islands by weekend

Tropical Storm Erin formed in the Atlantic on Monday, Aug. 11, and forecasters say it could strengthen into the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

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According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Erin has maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and is moving west at about 20 mph. The storm is expected to continue in this direction “for the next several days” while gradually strengthening.

Intensification is likely to be slow at first, but Erin could become a major hurricane within the next five days, the NHC said in a forecast discussion. By the weekend, the storm is projected to be located just north of the Caribbean.

Currently, Erin is about 280 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and more than 2,300 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands. Meteorologists with The Weather Channel say the odds of Erin making a direct impact on the U.S. East Coast are low at this time, though “it’s too early to rule out any possible track scenarios next week.”

Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts there will be between 13 and 18 named storms this season, with five to nine becoming hurricanes and two to five of those reaching major hurricane status.

As of Aug. 7, NOAA forecasts a 50% chance of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, down from the 60% predicted ahead of the season. The average hurricane season sees 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major storms.