Latest news with #Category4
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Hurricane Erin gathers force as it nears Leeward Islands
Hurricane Erin has intensified into a category 4 storm as it churns its way over the Atlantic, brushing past islands in the north-east Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center (NHC), in Miami, said on Saturday that Erin was still not expected to hit land in the US and would eventually swerve away, but forecasters have warned that strong winds and heavy rain could cause flooding and landslides on nearby islands. The storm was expected to strengthen further, according to the NHC, and could become a category 5 hurricane. At the time of publication, the storm was 150 miles north-east of Anguilla, recording maximum wind speeds of 145mph. It was moving west-north-west at 20mph and was expected to pass near the Leeward Islands on Saturday, bringing 2-4in of rain to some areas, with up to 6in in the heaviest downpours. The storm's outer bands of rain were beginning to affect some islands, and more rain was expected on Sunday, NHC forecasters said. 'Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend,' the NHC said. The swells would spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda and along the east coast of the US early next week, it said, warning of rough ocean conditions and 'life-threatening' rip currents. The winds had more than doubled in speed in the past 24 hours, from a 70mph tropical storm on Friday to a 145 mph category 4 on Saturday. Tropical storm watches were in place for the northern Leeward Islands of St Martin, St Barts, Anguilla and Barbuda, with rainy conditions possible there for the next 48 hours. Erin is the first major Atlantic hurricane of the 2025 season and is expected to strengthen as it passes over warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures. A major hurricane is one that reaches at least category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. 'By the middle of next week, Erin is forecast to at least double or triple in size, which will result in rough ocean conditions over the western Atlantic,' the NHC said. This rapid intensification is happening more frequently as global temperatures rise due to global heating.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Jacksonville's weekend forecast as Erin is projected to become 'powerful' Cat 4 hurricane
In a rush? Get an abbreviated, text view of what's happening with Tropical Storm Erin. Tropical Storm Erin is expected to become a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 130-mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Erin was a strong tropical storm Friday morning, Aug. 15, and is expected to become a hurricane later today and a major hurricane by early Sunday morning. A major hurricane is one that's a Category 3 storm or higher, 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 Where is Erin's path headed ? As of this morning, "Erin will be a large and powerful hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean this weekend," the National Hurricane Center said, adding that tropical storm watches have been issued for several islands in the Caribbean. Is Erin headed to Jacksonville? What impact will it have? Tropical Storm Erin isn't exactly headed to Jacksonville. However, the impact Erin will have on Florida and the eastern coast of the United States remains uncertain. Forecasters said "the risk of dangerous surf and rip currents across the western Atlantic basin next week continues to increase." According to the National Weather Service there is a medium 50 percent chance of a disturbance forming in the southwestern Gulf. For Jacksonville, the NWS continues to warn beachgoers for rough surf and deadly rip currents projected for next week. ➤ Hurricane drama vs. data: Why Erin is a miniscule threat to Florida, U.S. east coast Jacksonville Heat Advisory: August 15, 2025 Jacksonville continues to heat up. For the third day in a row this week, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory, in effect today from 11 am through 7 pm for portions of northeast Florida and most of southeast Georgia. The maximum Heat Indices will be 108-112 degrees within the advisory. What is the weather in Jacksonville today: August 15, 2025? Jacksonville can expect sunny and hot conditions for today, with a high near 96 degrees. The heat index could reach up to 110 degrees. Will it rain? It is very likely, as the National Weather Service is calling for a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Expect mostly Winds from the west at 5–7 mph, shifting to the north in the afternoon. Rainfall amounts are expected to be between 0.1 and 0.25 inches, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. For tonight, a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms remains, mainly before 9 p.m. With skies expected to be mostly cloudy, and cooling off with a low of around 77. Winds from the southeast at around 6 mph will become calm later in the evening. What's the weather in Jacksonville this weekend? Here's what the National Weather Service forecast looks like for this weekend: Saturday:A chance of showers in the morning, becoming likely with thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95 degrees. Heat index values may reach up to 106. Winds will be calm early, shifting to the east around 6 mph in the afternoon, with a 70 percent chance of rain. Rainfall between 0.1 and 0.25 inches, with higher amounts possible in storms. Saturday Night:Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy with a low near 76, and calmer wind overnight, going East around 6mph. With a 60 percent chance of rain Sunday:A chance of showers early, with showers and thunderstorms likely again after 11 a.m. Partly sunny with a high near 92. Light north wind increasing to 5–10 mph from the northeast, with gusts up to 16 mph, with a 70 percent chance of rain. Sunday Night:Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., with a slight chance of showers until around 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low near 75, and a 60 percent chance of rain. Tropical Storm Erin update, path Special note on the NHC cone: The 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. Location: 520 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands; 1,690 miles east of West Palm Beach Maximum sustained winds: 70 mph Movement: west-northwest at 17 mph Pressure: 991 mb Next advisory: 11 a.m. ET When will Tropical Storm Erin become a hurricane? Tropical Storm Erin was close to hurricane strengthen at 8 a.m., with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph. A tropical storm is designated as a hurricane when maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph. Erin is expected to become a hurricane Friday, Aug. 15 and become a major hurricane over the weekend. ➤ Hurricane drama vs. data: Why Erin is a miniscule threat to Florida, U.S. east coast Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Erin. Where is the storm going? Special note about 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. ➤ Track Tropical Storm Erin Is there a hurricane coming to Florida? No. Erin is moving west-northwest and the center of the storm is expected to remain east of Florida. Remember, forecasts can change so it's always best to be prepared. What impacts could Tropical Storm Erin have on Florida? What impact Erin will have on Florida and the eastern coast of the United States remains uncertain, but forecasters said "the risk of dangerous surf and rip currents across the western Atlantic basin next week continues to increase." How strong is Tropical Storm Erin and where could it go? See the scenarios At 8 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Erin was located near latitude 18.1 North, longitude 55.2 West. Erin is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph. This motion is 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 are near 70 mph, with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles, mainly to the northeast of the center. Steady strengthening is expected during the next few days and Erin is forecast to become a hurricane later today, and it could become a major hurricane by this weekend. Have any watches or warnings been issued for Tropical Storm Erin? A tropical storm watch is in effect for: Anguilla and Barbuda St. Martin and St. Barthelemy Saba and St. Eustatius Sint Maarten Hazards affecting land from Tropical Storm Erin Rainfall: Tropical Storm Erin is expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall beginning late Friday, Aug. 15, and continuing through the weekend across the northernmost Leeward Islands, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as southern and eastern Puerto Rico. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of 6 inches, are expected. This rainfall may lead to isolated flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides. Surf: Swells generated by Erin will begin affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by this weekend, and will likely spread to the western Atlantic next week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Tropical Storm Erin Heavy rainfall across the northernmost Leeward Islands, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as southern and eastern Puerto Rico, may lead to isolated flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides this weekend into early next week. Tropical storm conditions are possible for portions of the northern Leeward Islands, where Tropical Storm Watches are in effect, beginning on Saturday as the core of Erin passes north of those islands. Tropical storm conditions could also occur in portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later in the weekend, and additional watches may be required later today. While there is still uncertainty in what impacts might occur in portions of the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, and Bermuda next week, the risk of dangerous surf and rip currents across the western Atlantic basin next week continues to increase. Erin is expected to continue moving west-northwest into the weekend as it is steered by a subtropical ridge to its north. That ridge is expected to weaken early next week, turning Erin northwest and then north. Erin is in a favorable environment for strengthening, and it will likely intensify once the inner core becomes more organized. Current forecast: How strong could Tropical Storm Erin get? At 5 a.m.: 70 mph 12 hours: 80 mph 24 hours: 90 mph 36 hours: 105 mph 48 hours: 115 mph 60 hours: 125 mph 72 hours: 130 mph 96 hours: 125 mph 120 hours: 120 mph Interactive map: What tropical storms, hurricanes have impacted your area in the past? Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This story has been updated to include new information. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tropical Storm Erin strengthens See tracker, path, Jacksonville impact
Washington Post
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Erin rapidly intensifies into monstrous Category 4 hurricane. See it's path from here
Hurricane Erin catapulted in strength overnight from a low-end Category 1 to a monstrous Category 4. The powerhouse storm, which was located several hundred miles east-northeast of Puerto Rico on Saturday morning, was continuing to strengthen, and could approach Category 5 status by Saturday afternoon.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Erin now a Category 4 hurricane, NHC says
(Reuters) -Hurricane Erin has developed into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Saturday, adding that maximum sustained winds have increased to 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. Erin is expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, NHC said.
Reuters
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Category 4 hurricane Erin continues to intensify, NHC says
Aug 16 (Reuters) - Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season and has developed into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, has continued to rapidly intensify, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Saturday. The storm is currently 120 miles (193 km) northeast of Anguilla, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (233 kph). Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend, NHC said. The swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the east coast of the United States early next week, it said. Erin is expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the Center said.
