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Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Hurricane Erin could generate 100-foot waves as Category 3 storm approaches East Coast
Hurricane Erin is currently a Category 3 storm after weakening from Category 5 intensity reached on Saturday, August 16. The storm initially achieved Category 5 status with 160 mph winds, making it one of the fastest rapidly intensifying storms in Atlantic history. Erin is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season but the first to reach hurricane status. The hurricane set a record for the lowest minimum central pressure reading measured in an Atlantic hurricane on or before August 16 since 1979. The storm is currently impacting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rainfall up to 8 inches expected in some areas. Also read: 100-feet high tsunami hits Alaska fjord after glacier ... Wave height predictions exceed 50 feet Jean-Raymond Bidlot, senior scientist in ocean modeling at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), told Newsweek that massive waves are possible due to the storm's severity. "The latest forecast does indeed indicate that the largest significant wave height could reach values in excess of 50 feet with an associated most likely largest wave of more than 100 feet," Bidlot told Newsweek . Live Events — NWS (@NWS) The largest waves are unlikely to reach US beaches directly but could approach the East Coast as the hurricane moves northward. Expert analysis on wave size potential "Hurricanes are known for their very powerful winds, usually confined to an area around the storm center, but as indicated, waves tend to radiate away from the storms, propagating towards coastal areas even though the brunt of the storm might still be miles away from the coast," Bidlot added. "These storm-driven waves might not be the largest but will still be significant and have the potential to create very hazardous conditions when reaching the shore leading to intense surf conditions and dangerous rip currents well before the arrival of the storm clouds and rain associated with the hurricane." AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva provided a more conservative estimate regarding the 100-foot wave potential. "While 100 feet can't be ruled out, I think they would only be possible if the storm become a Category 4 or 5 storm. I think waves near the center of 50-75 feet are much more realistic (assuming a Category 3 storm)," DaSilva said. National Weather Service issues rip current warnings The National Weather Service has issued official warnings about life-threatening rip current conditions expected along the East Coast. Dangerous surf and rip currents are anticipated from Florida's Space Coast to coastal New England as Erin grows in size. Eight- to 12-foot waves are forecast along Carolina coastlines, creating hazardous beach conditions well before the hurricane's closest approach. "Stay calm and relax. Float to conserve energy. Rip currents don't pull you under. Don't swim against the current. You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach. If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. Call and wave for assistance," the NWS stated. Also read: US braces for Hurricane Erin's wrath: Flooding, landslides expected in Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico amid h Hurricane Erin storm impact timeline The hurricane's wave effects are expected to reach the Eastern US coastline between Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, with very large waves likely from the Carolinas to the Northeast. The storm's growing size as it tracks northward will drive increasingly dangerous surf conditions throughout the week. Fluctuations in Erin's intensity are expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, but the hurricane is forecast to remain a major storm through mid-week, maintaining its potential to generate significant wave action along the coast.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
'100 Foot' Waves Are Reportedly Heading For The U.S.
'100 Foot' Waves Are Reportedly Heading For The U.S. originally appeared on The Spun. Hurricane Erin is heading for the United States and so, too, could some massive waves, reaching more than 100 feet in height. The major storm, which is currently a Category 3 hurricane, is weakening as it approaches the United States. Still, it could have serious impact on much of the East Coast. The storm is currently impacting the Turks and Caicos Islands while wreaking havoc in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The hurricane initially reached Category 5 status, before weakening as it got closer to the United States. But while the storm has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, it could still cause some major, major swells on U.S. beaches. Jean-Raymond Bidlot, senior scientist in ocean modeling at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), told Newsweek that he believes monster waves are possible, due to the severity of the incoming storm. The waves could reach a striking height. How big could the Hurricane Erin waves actually get? Bidlot told Newsweek that he thinks the waves could reach 100 feet in height, if not taller. 'The latest forecast does indeed indicate that the largest significant wave height could reach values in excess of 50 feet with an associated most likely largest wave of more than 100 feet," he told Newsweek. It's unlikely that those waves could be seen from a U.S. beach, but they could be approaching the East Coast. "Hurricanes are known for their very powerful winds, usually confined to an area around the storm center, but as indicated, waves tend to radiate away from the storms, propagating towards coastal areas even though the brunt of the storm might still be miles away from the coast," he added. "These storm-driven waves might not be the largest but will still be significant and have the potential to create very hazardous conditions when reaching the shore leading to intense surf conditions and dangerous rip currents well before the arrival of the storm clouds and rain associated with the hurricane." Meanwhile, another scientist suggested that the 100 foot mark was probably not going to happen. 'While 100 feet can't be ruled out, I think they would only be possible if the storm become a Category 4 or 5 storm. I think waves near the center of 50-75 feet are much more realistic (assuming a Category 3 storm), said AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva. The National Weather Service is warning about rip currents While the truly massive 50 to 100 feet waves are not likely to impact those on U.S. beaches, rip currents could. The major hurricane could impact rip currents, which can cause life-threatening situations. The National Weather Service issued an official warning ahead of the storm potentially making landfall. "Stay calm and relax. Float to conserve energy. Rip currents don't pull you under. Don't swim against the current. You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach. If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. Call and wave for assistance," the NWS stated. Stay safe in the water this week as Hurricane Erin approaches. '100 Foot' Waves Are Reportedly Heading For The U.S. first appeared on The Spun on Aug 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Atlantic Braces for Potential 100ft Ocean Waves Next Week
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. Hurricane Erin would have the potential to trigger 100-foot waves as it moves across the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, according to forecasters. Why It Matters Currently classified as a tropical storm, Erin could develop into the first major hurricane of the 2025 season, experts say. It is the fifth named system of the Atlantic hurricane season so far, following Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter—none of which developed into hurricanes. A graphic from the NHC shows the system's expected path. A graphic from the NHC shows the system's expected path. National Hurricane Center What To Know Jean-Raymond Bidlot, senior scientist in ocean modeling at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) told Newsweek that Erin is forecast to strengthen over the next week as it heads toward the U.S. East Coast, reaching peak intensity offshore from Cape Hatteras. Remaining at sea, it could produce large waves through "dynamic fetch," where wind-driven waves match the storm's speed and gain extra energy. This effect can generate waves larger than wind strength alone would predict, primarily to the right of the storm's low-pressure center, Bidlot explained. "The latest forecast does indeed indicate that the largest significant wave height could reach values in excess of 50 feet with an associated most likely largest wave of more than 100 feet," Bidlot said. These will be large, long waves—hundreds of meters in length—not a single wall of water, the scientist said, adding that they are typical for such intense storms and should not be mistaken for rogue waves. AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek that the waves could cause "major shipping disruptions as well as change itineraries for cruise ships." "The strong winds from the storm creates these waves and they propagate out from the storm. Depending on how close the storm gets to the U.S., there can even be beach erosion in some areas," DaSilva said. What People Are Saying Senior scientist in ocean modeling at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Jean-Raymond Bidlot told Newsweek: "Hurricanes are known for their very powerful winds, usually confined to an area around the storm center, but as indicated, waves tend to radiate away from the storms, propagating towards coastal areas even though the brunt of the storm might still be miles away from the coast. "These storm-driven waves might not be the largest but will still be significant and have the potential to create very hazardous conditions when reaching the shore leading to intense surf conditions and dangerous rip currents well before the arrival of the storm clouds and rain associated with the hurricane." AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek: "While 100 feet can't be ruled out, I think they would only be possible if the storm become a Category 4 or 5 storm. "I think waves near the center of 50-75 feet are much more realistic (assuming a Category 3 storm)." What Happens Next Forecasts are sometimes subject to change. According to the National Hurricane Center, Erin is forecast to become a hurricane by Friday.
