Latest news with #MaxVelocity
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Erin Update as Chances of US Landfall Increase
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. A National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast warned that Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days as it treks westward across the Atlantic Ocean as the chances of a U.S. landfall have increased slightly. Why It Matters The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. Tropical Storm Erin is the fifth named storm of the season and the second to form this month, following Tropical Storm Dexter, which fizzled out over the ocean in the first week of August. Erin could become a major hurricane, a designation that occurs when a storm's wind speeds reach 111 mph or higher, classified as a Category 3 hurricane. Should it strengthen as meteorologists expect, Erin could become not only the first hurricane but also the first major hurricane of the season. What To Know Tropical Storm Erin formed on Monday morning. Meteorologists had been tracking the storm, which originated as a tropical wave off the western coast of Africa, for days. As of Tuesday morning, Erin's maximum sustained windspeeds were measured at 45 mph, with stronger gusts. A forecast map from the NHC shows that Tropical Storm Erin's path has shifted slightly south. A forecast map from the NHC shows that Tropical Storm Erin's path has shifted slightly south. National Hurricane Center A forecast map from the NHC anticipates the storm will become a hurricane by Thursday morning. Further strengthening is expected, with Erin intensifying into a major hurricane by late Saturday morning. A major hurricane forms once the hurricane becomes a Category 3 storm, in which windspeeds are measured at 111 mph or greater. Shortly after Erin formed on Monday, Max Velocity, a meteorologist with 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube, shared the NHC forecast map in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "BREAKING: Tropical Storm Erin has been born, and we now have our first look at where the NHC believes this system could go," he wrote with the post. "We cannot completely rule out a US landfall, and the NHC expects this to become a MAJOR hurricane." BREAKING: Tropical Storm Erin has been born, and we now have our first look at where the NHC believes this system could go. We cannot completely rule out a US landfall, and the NHC expects this to become a MAJOR hurricane. — Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) August 11, 2025 Later in the evening on Monday, Velocity published another post about how forecast models are shifting for Tropical Storm Erin. "Though the odds are low of a US landfall, it CANNOT be ruled out still. This will likely become a major hurricane," he posted. "Even if this doesn't make landfall, a close approach would still cause some problems. Still a very large spread, and details remain unclear. As it develops, the track will become clearer." Models are shifting WEST for Tropical Storm Erin, which will shortly become Hurricane Erin. Though the odds are low of a US landfall, it CANNOT be ruled out still. This will likely become a major hurricane. Even if this doesn't make landfall, a close approach would still cause… — Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) August 12, 2025 AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek that there has been a southward shift in some of the forecast models, which moves the storm closer to the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. Those areas could see between 1 to 2 inches of rain as the storm passes by. "Since the trend has been further south, that does increase the chance slightly of a U.S. landfall," DaSilva said. Even if the storm doesn't make landfall, some impacts could still be felt on the East Coast, such as dangerous rip currents. As of Tuesday morning, there are no hazards affecting land and no watches or warnings in effect for coastal areas. What People Are Saying DaSilva told Newsweek: "I still think the most likely scenario is a track somewhere between the Outer Banks [of North Carolina] and Bermuda. DaSilva added: "However, due to the fact that this storm has been moving a little further south and west, that can certainly increase the chance it can come closer to the United States." NHC in a recent key message issued for Tropical Storm Erin: "It is still too early to determine what impacts, if any, Erin may bring to the northern Leeward Islands, Bermuda, or the east coast of the United States. As we approach the climatological peak of the hurricane season, this is an opportune time to ensure your preparedness plans are in place." What Happens Next Erin could become a hurricane as soon as Thursday morning. People in nearby areas, such as the Leeward Islands and the East Coast, should monitor local weather guidance as the storm develops.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
Will Storm Erin hit UK as tropical storm tears through African islands?
Will Storm Erin hit UK as tropical storm tears through African islands? Forecasters are divided on where the storm will end up by the end of the week. Storm Erin may turn into a hurricane by the end of the week (Image: WeatherMatrix via Express) After Storm Floris swept the country last week, forecasters are predicting that another major weather system could form a hurricane and head for the UK. Tropical Storm Erin formed today, August 12, near Cabo Verde off the west coast of Africa, where the extreme weather has led to seven reported deaths so far. Cabo Verde, a group of islands that sit just off western Africa, has been hit hard by the tropical storm, with the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão seeing the worst of the devastation. Pictures show destroyed properties and flooded streets where cars have been swallowed by the water after severe rainfall. Meteorologist Max Velocity reported on X that seven people have been killed by the storm so far, and the Mirror is currently working to verify this figure. Forecast models indicate that the tropical storm could turn into a 'major hurricane' this weekend, reports the Express. But while Erin will possibly affect the Bahamas and Bermuda, consensus from forecasters say it's unlikely to head for the UK. Content cannot be displayed without consent But according to the independent forecaster Netweather, Erin could recurve northeast over the North Atlantic and possibly head towards the UK, just in time for the weekend. It comes as Storm Dexter is already due to have an affect on UK weather in coming days. Tropical Storm Erin is positioned just west of the Cabo Verde Islands and is expected to track generally westwards for much of the week. Content cannot be displayed without consent Forecasts indicate a gradual strengthening, with Erin potentially reaching hurricane status later this week while remaining far from land in the central Atlantic. Spaghetti models, which display multiple computer-generated storm track projections, are divided significantly on the future of the storm. Most models indicate that Erin will take a turn to the northwest, staying over the waters of the Atlantic and avoiding land altogether. But a smaller cluster shows a more westerly path that could bring the storm closer to the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean, later this week. (Image: PA) Despite some independent forecasters flagging the possibility of Erin heading to the UK, the Met Office is yet to issue a verdict on whether Brits will be affected by the possible hurricane. And at the moment, the Met Office predicts 'fine, dry and very warm' weather for this weekend. Its long-range forecast for Saturday, August 16 to Monday, August 25 says: "High pressure is set to dominate the UK by this weekend, bringing fine, dry, and very warm or hot weather with light winds for most, though breezier in the far south. "After a spell of cooler, cloudy, and murky conditions in the north, especially along coasts, it will turn clearer and warmer here too. "Early next week, there's an increased chance of very hot conditions in the south, possibly with rain or thundery showers. "Once this clears, changeable weather is more likely, with outbreaks of rain (most frequent in the west) and warm, dry interludes with sunny spells. "Toward the end of this period, there are some indications of an increased chance of more generally unsettled weather developing, though confidence at this range is typically low." It comes after the chaos of Storm Floris last Monday, August 4, which brought high winds and widespread power outages in Scotland. Much of the country saw a severe Amber wind warning for the storm, and conditions have been mostly settled since then. Article continues below
