Hurricane Erin path tracker: See where the Category 4 storm is headed
Hurricane Erin is continuing to spin in the Atlantic Ocean, bringing with it life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the United States, Bermuda and Atlantic Canada.
According to a 5 a.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center on Aug. 18, Erin is located about 915 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds near 130 mph with higher gusts, making it a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
The hurricane center said some additional strengthening is expected throughout the day and even with weakening forecast beginning Monday night, Aug. 18, Erin will remain a "large and dangerous major hurricane" through the middle of this week.
On the forecast track, the NHC said the core of Erin is expected to pass to the east of the southeastern Bahamas Aug. 18 and move between Bermuda and the east coast of the United States by the middle of the week.
Federal forecasters warned those with interests in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Bermuda to monitor the storm as those areas could soon face winds associated with Erin's outer rainbands.
State of emergency issued in Dare County, NC
Officials in Dare County, North Carolina, declared a state of emergency effective as of 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 17, and issued a mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island.
"While Hurricane Erin is expected to stay well off our coast, the system will continue to increase in size and is forecast to bring life-threatening impacts to the Dare County coastline," officials said in an Aug. 17 news release. "Coastal flooding and ocean overwash are expected to begin as early as Tuesday, Aug. 19 and continue through Thursday, Aug. 21," officials said, noting that portions of N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island will likely be "impassable" for several days.
Live updates: Hurricane Erin strengthens to Cat 4, threatens US with rip currents
Hurricane Erin path tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Hurricane Erin spaghetti models
Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.
National Hurricane Center keeping tabs on another tropical wave in the Atlantic
In addition to Erin, the hurricane center said it is also keeping an eye on a tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic that is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
Forecasters said in an Aug. 18 advisory that environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the latter part of this week.
The system is forecast to move westward to west-northwestward and approach the vicinity of the Leeward Islands toward the end of the week, with the NHC giving it a 50% chance of formation through the next seven days.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.
Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you're evacuating or sheltering in place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, because flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass; seal outside wall openings.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is Hurricane Erin headed? See path tracker, spaghetti models
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How Hurricane Erin 'jet streak' will mean 'big change' in UK weather
The Met Office has said that Hurricane Erin has the potential to bring more unsettled conditions to the UK. A "jet streak" caused by Hurricane Erin is forecast to bring a "big change" to the UK's weather next week, the Met Office has said. The category two storm has brought strong winds and possible life-threatening floods to the Caribbean and east coast of the US, prompting evacuations and the closure of beaches. While it is not forecast to make landfall in the US, the remnants of the hurricane could be seen in the UK by next week, according to the Met Office. And as it makes its way across the Atlantic this week, Hurricane Erin is set to be picked up by the jet stream, said meteorologist Aidan McGivern. If it does, this would create what is known as a "jet streak", an area of the jet stream where winds flow more quickly than in surrounding areas. "Exactly how that manifests, day-to-day, it's too early to say because there are so many variables involved, not least, how an ex-hurricane is going to interact with a jet stream, and how the jet stream is going to interact with an ex-hurricane," McGivern said. "But, what looks most likely is that that ex-hurricane... Fuels the jet stream. The jet stream brings a big change to the UK's weather into next week, brings an increased likelihood of low pressure, showers, spells of rain and increased wind as well." Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said the UK 'could well see some heavy rain', with 'uncertainty' kicking in from late on Sunday. He added: 'There's a risk of some rain developing, a potential that then things will turn increasingly unsettled. We may need some rainfall warnings further down the line, but it's too early to say.' Met Office downplays 600-mile band of rain Some media reports, citing weather data from WXCharts, claim the effects of Erin might be felt in the UK in the shape of a rain storm either up to 600 miles long hitting the country on 28 August. The reports claim it will bring heavy rainfall to cities such as Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Manchester, with Cardiff and Bristol being particularly badly affected. But the Met Office told Yahoo News UK that an accurate forecast is too difficult to predict this far in advance. A spokesperson said the date reported when the rain storm could hit "is a way away and weather forecasts become clearer closer to the time". BBC meteorologist Simon King also said that the low-pressure system – now over 3,000 miles away – won't bring extreme weather as it is 'physically impossible'. He explained: 'Rain doesn't fall in a continuous sheet stretching for hundreds of miles so there'll be no 'wall of rain' to come with it either.' While Erin is unlikely to bring extreme weather, King does concede that it could result in wet and windy weather in the UK from the middle of next week. In its long-range forecast for Friday 22 August to Sunday 31 August, the Met Office says the beginning of this period will be marked by fine and dry weather. However, it says: "This will be increasingly eroded from the west as frontal systems start to move in from the Atlantic through the weekend, leading to more changeable conditions." In addition, a deep area of low pressure is likely in the North Atlantic Ocean because of Hurricane Erin. The forecast says: "The changeable period will likely continue through the last week of August, especially in the north and west, with a small chance of widely wetter and windier weather developing." What about this week? Following last week's fourth heatwave of the summer, the rest of this week is set to remain largely dry, following a warm start. Sunday's highest temperature was 27.7C in Somerset, while West Sussex and Inverness, Scotland, also reached 27C. Maximum temperatures are expected to fall to 24C by Wednesday and Thursday, the Met Office said, but could go back up to the high 20s again by the weekend, with a risk of rain in the far west on Sunday. How accurate are weather forecasts? The Met Office says that thanks to technology, its four-day forecast is now just as accurate as its one-day forecast was 30 years ago. It uses its Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model for its forecasts, verified by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The Met Office says that in the past 12 months that 92% of its three-hourly temperature forecasts - given between three to seven days ahead of time - have been accurate to within either 2°C above or below on the current day. However, it said that because weather is a "chaotic" system, the slightest shift in conditions can lead to inaccuracies in predicting what is to come, meaning it is better to rely on a number of forecast models as opposed to just one.
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Hurricane Erin to Menace US East Coast Beaches Into the Weekend
Hurricane Erin is triggering dangerous beach conditions across much of the US East Coast that will likely last into the weekend, as the storm pushes north in the waning days of the summer travel season. The risk of powerful currents that can sweep strong swimmers out to sea is forecast to reach high levels by Friday at popular vacation destinations, including Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket in Massachusetts, the Hamptons on Long Island and Delaware's Rehoboth Beach. Heavy winds and waves up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall are possible in the worst-hit areas before beginning to ease Saturday.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
North Carolina Governor declares state of emergency
Hurricane Erin could dump up to two inches of rain in parts of North Carolina this week as the category 2 storm churns over the Atlantic. On Hatteras Island, some tourists have relocated after a mandatory evacuation order and some residents are deciding to stay. NBC News' Aaron Gilchrist reports. Solve the daily Crossword
