Tropical Storm Erin likely to become first Atlantic season's first hurricane
The storm formed just west of the Cabo Verde islands, off the western coast of Africa, and was moving west, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.
Early models showed that the storm was expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time it nears the Caribbean islands toward the end of the week. It doesn't pose an immediate threat to the U.S., but there is uncertainty about its longer-term path.
As of 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday, the center of Erin was about 1,400 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands in the West Indies, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and moving westward at about 20 mph, according to the hurricane center.
"On the forecast track," the hurricane center said early Wednesday, "the center of Erin is likely to move near or just north of the northern Leeward Islands over the weekend."
The center added that "gradual strengthening is forecast to begin today, and Erin will likely become a hurricane by late Thursday or early Friday."
Drone video footage posted to social media showed the aftermath of flooding from the storm in Cabo Verde, a group of islands about 385 miles off the African coast. Local media reported at least eight people were killed, and officials declared a state of emergency as crews dealt with the damage.
There's uncertainty about where Erin goes after this week, but most models show the storm pivoting to the northwest and north, CBS News Miami meteorologist Shane Hinton reported.
The new activity in the Atlantic comes as parts of South Florida, home to two of the largest school districts in the U.S., are starting a new school year. Classes in Broward County began Monday, and students in neighboring Miami-Dade County are set to go back to school later in the week.
Erin is the fifth named storm to develop during the Atlantic hurricane season, which started just over two months ago. Last week, Tropical Storm Dexter formed in the western Atlantic but didn't pose a threat to land. In early July, Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the Carolina coast, bringing deadly flooding to the region.
The Atlantic hurricane season started in June and runs through November, with its peak months being August, September and October.
The Pacific Ocean has already seen six hurricanes this year, including Henriette, which weakened to a tropical storm Tuesday and was not expected to hit land.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, predicted an above-normal season for the Atlantic basin this year, with an expected number of named storms between 13 and 18, five to nine of which could become hurricanes.
A tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm when its maximum sustained wind speeds reach at least 39 mph. Hurricanes are more powerful with sustained winds of at least 74 mph. Hurricanes are rated on a scale ranging from Category 1 to Category 5, which is the most severe rating. A storm is considered to be a major hurricane when it reaches Category 3 strength with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Erielle Delzer and
Nikki Nolan
contributed to this report.
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Newsweek
31 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Satellite Images Show Tropical Storm Erin as it Gears Up to Become Major Hurricane
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Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Where is Tropical Storm Erin? Will Sarasota, Bradenton be impacted?
Tropical Storm Erin is starting to strengthen as it continues its westward path across the Atlantic, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Erin is expected to become a hurricane Friday, Aug. 15, and a major hurricane by Sunday morning. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or stronger storm with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location The current forecast calls for Erin's winds to increase to 125 mph within five days, making it a strong Category 3 storm. A Category 4 storm has maximum sustained winds of at least 130 mph. Erin is expected to turn north at some point, staying away from Sarasota, Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida and the east coast of the United States. However, the "risk of dangerous surf and rip currents across the western Atlantic basin next week is increasing," the National Hurricane Center said. 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What impacts could Tropical Storm Erin have on Florida? "There is still a greater than normal uncertainty about what impacts Erin may bring to portions of the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, and Bermuda in the long range," the National Hurricane Center said. However, "the risk of dangerous surf and rip currents across the western Atlantic basin next week is increasing." How strong is Tropical Storm Erin and where could it go? See the scenarios At 11 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Erin was located near latitude 16.4 North, longitude 49.7 West. Erin is moving toward the west near 17 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest is expected tonight, with this motion expected to continue into the weekend. On the forecast track, the center of Erin is likely to move near or just north of the northern Leeward Islands over the weekend. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. 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Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Caribbean officials warn of heavy rains and big waves as Tropical Storm Erin nears
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