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Chances of New Cyclone Forming Behind Hurricane Erin More Than Double

Chances of New Cyclone Forming Behind Hurricane Erin More Than Double

Newsweek3 days ago
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
An Atlantic disturbance's chances of cyclone formation have jumped from 20 percent to 50 percent between Sunday and Monday, according to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Why It Matters
Meteorologists are monitoring the disturbance after Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season on Friday.
According to experts at AccuWeather, Erin underwent one of the fastest intensifications ever recorded, strengthening from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 27 hours and 20 minutes.
A map highlights the new disturbance in orange and Hurricane Erin in red.
A map highlights the new disturbance in orange and Hurricane Erin in red.
National Hurricane Center
What To Know
"A tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms," the NHC said in an update on Monday. "Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the latter part of the week."
The system was expected to move westward to northwestward at about 20 mph, approaching the Leeward Islands near the end of the week, the NHC said.
The agency estimated a 50 percent chance of cyclone development through the next seven days—a notable increase from the 20 percent chance over a similar time frame reported on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the NHC said that Hurricane Erin was about 120 miles north of Grand Turk Island. Erin returned to Category 4 strength on Sunday after being briefly downgraded.
The agency reported it was moving west-northwest near 10 mph, with a northwestern turn expected later on Monday, and a turn north on Tuesday.
The NHC said maximum sustained winds had increased to near 140 mph, with further strengthening anticipated on Monday. The system would remain "a dangerous major hurricane" through the middle of the week, it added.
Tropical storm warnings were in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas, according to the NHC.
What People Are Saying
The National Hurricane Center, on X on Sunday night: "In addition to #Erin, the tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic now has a medium chance of tropical cyclone formation within the next 7 days. The system should approach the NE Caribbean or SW Atlantic by the end of this week."
Meteorologist Spinks Megginson, on X on Monday: "Hurricane Erin has strengthened this morning. Maximum winds up to 140 mph in the 11AM EDT advisory. Erin will move north over the next day or so before turning northeast in between North Carolina and Bermuda. Core of Erin will miss land areas in the days ahead, thankfully."
What Happens Next
The NHC issues frequent updates on its website and social media channels. The agency said Erin was expected to move between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda this week.
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Hurricane Erin tracker: Storm surge warning issued in North Carolina as Category 2 storm starts to head northeast — see the latest path
Hurricane Erin tracker: Storm surge warning issued in North Carolina as Category 2 storm starts to head northeast — see the latest path

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Hurricane Erin tracker: Storm surge warning issued in North Carolina as Category 2 storm starts to head northeast — see the latest path

Beachgoers are being urged not to swim at most East Coast beaches due to dangerous surf conditions. While Hurricane Erin is beginning to turn toward the northeast, a storm surge warning has been issued in North Carolina because "large and dangerous waves" could cause "surge-related flooding" along the coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Erin is currently a Category 2 storm, and rip currents and high tides are expected to occur later today, with waves expected to peak between 2 and 4 feet along the Outer Banks, N.C. The rough surf conditions from Erin could affect the Bahamas, Bermuda and beaches up and down the East Coast over the next several days. "Beachgoers are cautioned against swimming at most U.S. East Coast beaches due to life-threatening surf and rip currents," the hurricane center said. Officials in North Carolina have already declared states of emergency in Dare and Hyde Counties and ordered mandatory evacuations of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, even though the storm isn't forecast to make landfall. But tropical storm conditions and the possibility of life-threatening inundation of water from Erin are expected to make an impact on the barrier islands. North Carolina Highway 12 is the primary road that connects the islands in the Outer Banks and separates the Sound side from the Atlantic Ocean side. It's expected to be torn up and washed out in several places from the impacts of Erin, which could isolate villages for days or even weeks. Erin formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean last week, officially reaching hurricane status on Friday. It is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. Where is Hurricane Erin now, and what is its path? As of 8 a.m. ET Thursday: Erin was located 440 miles west-northwest of Bermuda and about 210 miles east of Cape Hatteras, N.C. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, making it a Category 2 storm. It's moving north-northeast at 17 mph. According to the NHC's latest advisory, Erin is expected to turn northeast later today. It's expected to increase in forward speed with even more acceleration on Friday and into the weekend. The NHC forecast track shows that Erin's center will be over the western Atlantic Ocean between the East Coast and Bermuda through Friday morning, before passing through southern Atlantic Canada Friday evening and Saturday. Watches and warnings As of 8 a.m. ET Thursday, these are the advisories in place, according to the NHC: Storm surge warnings are in effect for: Cape Lookout to Duck, N.C. Tropical storm warning is in effect for: Beaufort Inlet, N.C., to Chincoteague, Va., including Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. Tropical storm watch is in effect for: Bermuda What those watches and warnings mean A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, over the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. In North Carolina, 2 to 4 feet of storm surge is possible from Cape Lookout to Duck. And up to 3 feet of storm surge is possible from South Santee River, S.C., to Cape May, N.J. Tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the Outer Banks and Virginia coastline starting late today. On the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast, wind gusts to tropical storm force are forecast Thursday through early Friday. Additionally, Bermuda could see tropical storm conditions on Thursday and Friday. Heavy rainfall is possible on the Outer Banks this afternoon into Thursday, with the potential for 1 to 2 inches. Though Erin is not expected to make direct landfall, swells generated by the storm will affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada during the next several days. 'These rough ocean conditions are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents,' the NHC said. What are the chances Erin will intensify? Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, ranging from Category 1 to Category 5, with 5 being the most severe. A storm is considered a major hurricane when it reaches Category 3 strength, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Erin reached Category 4 strength on Saturday and again on Monday before weakening on Tuesday. It is currently a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. "Some strengthening is possible during the next day or so," the NHC said. "Weakening is likely to begin by Friday, but Erin is forecast to remain a hurricane into the weekend." Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from its center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 265 miles. How is hurricane season shaping up? The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through the end of November, has a 50% chance of being above normal. Earlier this month, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration slightly updated the number of expected storms to 13 to 18 (estimated at 13 to 19 in May), of which up to five could become major hurricanes (with winds of more than 111 mph). A typical hurricane season averages 14 named storms. We're currently about halfway through this year's Atlantic hurricane season, and as of Aug. 15, there have been five so far: tropical storms Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter, and now Hurricane Erin.

Hurricane Erin batters NC Outer Banks, floods part of its main highway
Hurricane Erin batters NC Outer Banks, floods part of its main highway

New York Post

time28 minutes ago

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Hurricane Erin batters NC Outer Banks, floods part of its main highway

RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Erin battered North Carolina's Outer Banks with strong winds and waves that flooded part of the main highway and surged under beachfront homes as the monster storm slowly began to move away from the East Coast on Thursday. Forecasters predicted the storm would peak Thursday and said it could regain strength and once again become a major hurricane, Category 3 or greater, but it was not forecast to make landfall along the East Coast before turning farther out to sea. Tropical storm conditions were in effect over parts of the Outer Banks and the coast of Virginia, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. In Bermuda, residents and tourists were told to stay out of the water with rough seas expected through Friday. Advertisement 5 Hurricane Erin hit North Carolina's Outer Banks with flooding and strong winds. AP There was flooding along part of the North Carolina and mid-Atlantic coasts, the center said Thursday morning. Authorities predicted that the largest swells during high tide would cut off villages and homes on the Outer Banks and whip up life-threatening rip currents from Florida to New England. Big waves push water over roads As Erin's outer bands brushed the Outer Banks, water poured onto the main route connecting the barrier islands and a handful of stilted homes precariously perched above the beach. By Wednesday evening, officials had closed Highway 12 on Hatteras Island as the surge increased and waves rose. The road remained closed Thursday. Ocracoke Island's connection to its ferry terminal was cut off. Advertisement Melinda Meadows, property manager at the Cape Hatteras Motel in Buxton who decided to ride out the storm, said a door was ripped off a townhouse, some walls have been knocked out, and some heat pumps were washed out. 'It's the force behind the water,' she told WRAL-TV. Farther north, on Jennette's Pier in Nags Head, dozens of people were out taking photos of the huge waves crashing into the structure and even bird-watching amid the driving rain Thursday morning. 5 Hurricane Erin was not forecast to make landfall along the East Coast. REUTERS Advertisement 'This is nature at her best,' said David Alan Harvey of Nags Head. 'I love this. I love these storms.' Harvey was unconcerned about being on a pier jutting into the ocean, saying he considered it safer than most other places. 'Driving my car is a lot more dangerous than this.' A few feet away, 23-year-old Daniel Irons, who lives in Hatteras, was bird-watching and waiting to see what new ones might be brought in by winds from the storm. Another man, Sebastian Kettner, was fishing. Beaches off-limits along the coast Beaches were closed to swimming Wednesday and Thursday in New York City, and some others in New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware were temporarily off-limits. Widespread, moderate coastal flooding was forecast for low-lying areas of Long Island and parts of New York City. Advertisement Off Massachusetts, Nantucket Island could see waves of more than 10 feet (3 meters) this week. But the biggest threat remained along the Outer Banks where longtime residents didn't seem too concerned. 5 People walk on an empty boardwalk as large waves from Hurricane Erin keep swimmers away on Thursday in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Getty Images 'I remember taking canoes out of my front yard to get to school, so I don't think it's gonna be that bad,' said Jacob Throne, who lives on Hatteras Island and works for surf shops. Despite beach closures elsewhere, some swimmers continued to ignore the warnings. Rescuers saved more than a dozen people caught in rip currents Tuesday at Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina, a day after more than 80 people were rescued. Bob Oravec, a National Weather Service forecaster, said that even if someone thinks they know how to handle a rip current, it's not safe. 'You can be aware all you want,' he said. 'It can still be dangerous.' 5 Rescuers saved more than a dozen people caught in rip currents Tuesday at Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina, despite beach closures. REUTERS Huge waves forecast to cause coastal flooding A combination of fierce winds and huge waves estimated at about 20 feet (6.1 meters) could cause coastal flooding in many beachfront communities, North Carolina officials warned. Waves were estimated as high as 18 feet (5.5 meters) Thursday morning, according to local weather reports. Advertisement Dozens of beach homes already worn down from chronic erosion and protective dunes could be at risk, said David Hallac, superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Most residents decided to stay despite evacuations ordered on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. 5 The sunset before Hurricane Erin's near approach, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Wednesday. REUTERS 'We probably wouldn't stay if it was coming directly at us,' said Rob Temple, who operates sailboat cruises on Ocracoke. Advertisement His biggest concern was whether the main route would wash out and if tourists and delivery trucks may be cut off from the thin stretch of low-lying islands, which are increasingly vulnerable to storm surges. The Hatteras Island Rescue Squad, a volunteer group based in Buxton, said it received no calls for rescues Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Erin remains a large hurricane as it heads out to sea Erin has become an unusually large and deceptively worrisome system, with tropical storm-force winds spreading across 500 miles (800 kilometers) — roughly the distances from New York City to Pittsburgh. Advertisement It remained a Category 2 hurricane Thursday morning with maximum sustained winds around 105 mph (165 kph), the hurricane center said. Erin was about 210 miles (338 kilometers) east of Cape Hatteras and moving north-northeast at 17 mph (28 kph). The hurricane center was also watching two tropical disturbances far out in the Atlantic that could develop into named storms in the coming days. With thousands of miles of warm ocean water, hurricanes known as Cape Verde storms are some of the most dangerous that threaten North America. Climate scientists say Atlantic hurricanes are now much more likely to rapidly intensify into powerful and catastrophic storms, fueled by warmer oceans.

Millions of Americans Told to Stay Out of Water: 'Life-Threatening'
Millions of Americans Told to Stay Out of Water: 'Life-Threatening'

Newsweek

time29 minutes ago

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Millions of Americans Told to Stay Out of Water: 'Life-Threatening'

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of Americans have been advised to stay out of the water amid concerns over life-threatening sea and lake conditions as Hurricane Erin moves northwards in the western Atlantic Ocean. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued beach hazard statements for shorelines in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland on Thursday. Why It Matters The warnings mean there is a high risk of dangerous waves, rip currents and life-threatening swimming conditions. The NWS forecast office in Newport/Morehead City, North Carolina, said: "Extreme beach and coastal damage is likely along the oceanside, resulting in a significant threat to life and property. Large dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures. "Severe flooding will likely extend inland from the waterfront causing flooding of many homes and businesses with some structural damage possible. Numerous roads will likely be impassable under several feet of water and vehicles will likely be submerged. "Actions will need to be taken to protect life and property. Extremely dangerous swimming and surfing conditions expected, as well as the wave action resulting in significant beach erosion." Waves from Hurricane Erin crash ashore in Nags Head, North Carolina, on August 21, 2025. Waves from Hurricane Erin crash ashore in Nags Head, North Carolina, on August 21, 2025. Allen G. Breed/AP What To Know In North Carolina, a high surf advisory is in force through Thursday evening, and a beach hazards statement is in effect until midnight on Friday. The areas set to be worst impacted are the beaches from Duck to Ocracoke, and the counties of Carteret, Onslow, and Currituck. The affected regions are forecast to receive breaking waves between seven and 17 feet high, dangerous rip currents, and water inundation of up to two to three feet above ground level. "Numerous roads will likely be impassable under several feet of water and vehicles will likely be submerged," the NWS said. "The surf will be extremely dangerous for everyone, and swimming is absolutely discouraged." In Virginia and Maryland, a beach hazards statement is in force until Friday evening, and a high surf advisory is in effect until 7 a.m. on Friday. The areas set to be worst hit are Accomack and Northampton Counties, and Virginia Beach. Breaking waves of between eight and 12 feet are forecast in parts, and flooding of between one and three feet above ground level is expected. In New York, a warning for strong currents and dangerous swimming conditions is in effect until Thursday afternoon in Niagara and Orleans counties. In Ohio, a warning for a high risk of rip currents is in force until Thursday evening for Ottawa, Erie, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties. In Illinois, swimming conditions in Lake Michigan are forecast to be life-threatening, particularly for inexperienced swimmers, in Lake and Cook counties until 1 p.m. Waves are forecast to be between three and five feet high, with dangerous currents. "Remain out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions and do not venture out onto piers, jetties, breakwalls, or other shoreline structures," the NWS said. Meanwhile, in Indiana and Michigan, warnings have been issued until 1 p.m. for waves between three and five feet, and life-threatening rip and structural currents. The warnings are in force in La Porte, Lake, Porter, and Berrien counties. What People Are Saying The NWS forecast office in Newport/Morehead City, North Carolina: "Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. "Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth." The NWS forecast office in Wakefield, Virginia: "Numerous roads may be closed. Low lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure may be inundated. "Very dangerous swimming and surfing conditions are expected, as well as the wave action resulting in significant beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries." The NWS forecast office in Cleveland: "Wind and wave action will cause currents on the lakeshore. Swimmers should not enter the water. Currents can carry swimmers away from shore through a sand bar and along structures extending out into the lake." What Happens Next The majority of the sea and lake warnings are set to remain in force throughout Thursday and into Friday. Regular forecast updates regarding water conditions are issued on the NWS website.

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