Hurricane Erin downgraded to Category 3 as tropical storm warning issued for Turks and Caicos
Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, reached Category 5 status before weakening, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The storm's center was about 155 miles (245 kilometres) north of San Juan, Puerto Rico and nearly 300 miles (500 kilometres) east of the Grand Turk Island, moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 km/h).
Hurricane Erin animation Sunday 7 21 am
(U.S. National Hurricane Center)
A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, and in this case, within 24 hours, the NHC said. Heavy rain is still expected across the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with rainfall of 3 to 6 inches (about 7.6 to 15 cms), with 8 inches (20 cms) in some isolated areas.
Swells were also expected to affect portions of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands during the next couple of days, the NHC reported.
The government of the Bahamas also issued a tropical storm watch for the Southeast Bahamas.
Scientists have linked the rapid intensification of hurricanes in the Atlantic to climate change. Global warming is causing the atmosphere to hold more water vapor and is spiking ocean temperatures, and warmer waters give hurricanes fuel to unleash more rain and strengthen more quickly.
Hurricane Erin path Sun 7 21 am
(U.S. National Hurricane Center)
The Associated Press
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