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The Mainichi
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Mainichi
Category 4 Hurricane Erin buffets northern Caribbean islands but not forecast to hit land
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Hurricane Erin exploded in strength and became a major storm in Atlantic waters just north of the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day and bringing heavy rains and high winds to islands in the region. The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin reached Category 5 status before weakening somewhat and becoming a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Late at night the center reported that Erin was "undergoing structural changes" but was still "formidable" as its rain and winds buffeted Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The storm's center was about 145 miles (230 kilometers) north-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it was heading toward the west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph). It was not forecast to make a direct hit on land. Hurricane center director Mike Brennen said Erin grew into a "very powerful hurricane," with its winds gaining 60 mph (96 kph) in about nine hours. Forecasters predicted that it will remain a major hurricane into the coming week. Erin close enough to land to trigger flooding, landslides The storm's center was forecast pass north of Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center. Nevertheless, it said, heavy rain in some areas could trigger flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. Tropical storm watches were issued for St. Martin, St. Barts and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The National Weather Service in San Juan issued an alert for Saturday night for nearly two thirds of Puerto Rico, warning of 50 mph (80 kph) winds and urging people to shelter in safe structures. Power was knocked out to about 130,000 customers in the territory. Locals and tourists walked, exercised and shopped as usual earlier in the day in the Puerto Rican capital. Restaurants were busy, and despite warnings to avoid beaches, people could be seen in the water. Parents kept their children from swimming, however. Sarahi Torres and Joanna Cornejo, who were visiting from California for a Bad Bunny concert, said they decided to go to the beach and wade in because the skies were calm. "The weather looked fine, so we came out," Torres said. The U.S. government deployed more than 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies as a precaution. Puerto Rico Housing Secretary Ciary Perez Pena said 367 shelters were inspected and ready to open if needed. Officials in the Bahamas also prepared shelters and urged people to monitor the storm's progress. Powerful rip currents could affect the U.S. East Coast from Florida to the mid-Atlantic next week, despite the eye of the storm forecast to remain far offshore, Brennan said. An 'incredible' race from tropical storm to Category 5 Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin gained strength at a pace that was "incredible for any time of year, let alone Aug. 16." Lowry said only four other Category 5 hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic on or before Aug. 16. The most powerful storms tend to form later in the year, with the hurricane season typically peaking in mid-September. In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma rocketed from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in less than 24 hours, according to National Hurricane Center advisories from that time. Wilma weakened to a Category 3 hurricane before striking Florida. And in October 2007, Hurricane Felix took just over a day to go from a tropical storm to Category 5. Including Erin, there have been 43 hurricanes that have reached Category 5 status on record in the Atlantic, said Dan Pydynowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, a private forecasting company. "They're certainly rare, although this would mark the fourth year in a row that we've had one in the Atlantic basin," Pydynowski said. Conditions needed for hurricanes to reach such strength include very warm ocean water, little to no wind shear and being far from land, he said. Warming climate linked to storms strengthening faster Scientists have linked 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. Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting for meteorologists and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies. Hurricane Erick, a Pacific storm that made landfall June 19 in Oaxaca, Mexico, also strengthened rapidly, doubling in intensity in less than a day. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 and is expected to be unusually busy. Six to 10 hurricanes are predicted for the season, including three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 177 kph.
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Climate
- Korea Herald
Category 4 Hurricane Erin buffets northern Caribbean islands
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Erin exploded in strength and became a major storm in Atlantic waters just north of the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day and bringing heavy rains and high winds to islands in the region. The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin reached Category 5 status before weakening somewhat and becoming a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Late at night the center reported that Erin was 'undergoing structural changes' but was still 'formidable' as its rain and winds buffeted Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The storm's center was about 230 km north-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it was heading toward the west-northwest at 22 kph. It was not forecast to make a direct hit on land. Hurricane center director Mike Brennen said Erin grew into a 'very powerful hurricane,' with its winds gaining 96 kph in about nine hours. Forecasters predicted that it will remain a major hurricane into the coming week. The storm's center was forecast pass north of Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center. Nevertheless, it said, heavy rain in some areas could trigger flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. Tropical storm watches were issued for St. Martin, St. Barts and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The National Weather Service in San Juan issued an alert for Saturday night for nearly two thirds of Puerto Rico, warning of 80 kph winds and urging people to shelter in safe structures. Power was knocked out to about 130,000 customers in the territory. Locals and tourists walked, exercised and shopped as usual earlier in the day in the Puerto Rican capital. Restaurants were busy, and despite warnings to avoid beaches, people could be seen in the water. Parents kept their children from swimming, however. Sarahi Torres and Joanna Cornejo, who were visiting from California for a Bad Bunny concert, said they decided to go to the beach and wade in because the skies were calm. 'The weather looked fine, so we came out,' Torres said. The US government deployed more than 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies as a precaution. Puerto Rico Housing Secretary Ciary Perez Peña said 367 shelters were inspected and ready to open if needed. Officials in the Bahamas also prepared shelters and urged people to monitor the storm's progress. Powerful rip currents could affect the US East Coast from Florida to the mid-Atlantic next week, despite the eye of the storm forecast to remain far offshore, Brennan said. Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin gained strength at a pace that was 'incredible for any time of year, let alone Aug. 16.' Lowry said only four other Category 5 hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic on or before Aug. 16. The most powerful storms tend to form later in the year, with the hurricane season typically peaking in mid-September. In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma rocketed from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in less than 24 hours, according to National Hurricane Center advisories from that time. Wilma weakened to a Category 3 hurricane before striking Florida. And in October 2007, Hurricane Felix took just over a day to go from a tropical storm to Category 5. Including Erin, there have been 43 hurricanes that have reached Category 5 status on record in the Atlantic, said Dan Pydynowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, a private forecasting company. 'They're certainly rare, although this would mark the fourth year in a row that we've had one in the Atlantic basin,' Pydynowski said. Conditions needed for hurricanes to reach such strength include very warm ocean water, little to no wind shear and being far from land, he said. Scientists have linked 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. Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting for meteorologists and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies. Hurricane Erick, a Pacific storm that made landfall June 19 in Oaxaca, Mexico, also strengthened rapidly, doubling in intensity in less than a day. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 and is expected to be unusually busy. Six to 10 hurricanes are predicted for the season, including three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 177 kph.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Hurricane Erin weakens slightly to category 4, undergoes ‘eyewall replacement'; what do we know so far
Hurricane Erin exploded and strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday (August 16, 2025) before weakening slightly to a Category 4 status. However, it remained a "formidable" storm while it underwent a process known as an " eyewall replacement cycle," the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin, reached Category 5 status before weakening somewhat and becoming a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 kph). "Some fluctuations in intensity are expected over the next couple of days due to inner-core structural changes," the Miami-based hurricane center said, as quoted by CBS News. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 130 mph or higher. Late at night, the center reported that Erin was 'undergoing structural changes' but was still 'formidable' as its rain and winds buffeted Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The storm's center was about 145 miles (230 kilometers) north-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it was heading toward the west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph). It was not forecast to make a direct hit on land. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Donating Sperm May Boost Your Income SpellRock Undo Hurricane center director Mike Brennen said Erin grew into a 'very powerful hurricane,' with its winds gaining 60 mph (96 kph) in about nine hours. Forecasters predicted that it would remain a major hurricane into the coming week. Forecasters urged people in the Caribbean islands to monitor Erin's progress. According to CBS News, they warned of the potential for heavy rainfall and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Live Events What is an eyewall replacement cycle? The hurricane center on Saturday night (August 16, 2025) revealed that Erin was undergoing an "eyewall replacement cycle." According to CBS News, it is a situation when the storm has become so significantly powerful that its eyewall, its strongest part, attains maximum strength. As soon as this happens, the eyewall itself becomes so intense from intaking the available energy from its environment that a new eyewall starts to build on the outside of the existing, inner eyewall. Once the new eyewall is formed, it cuts off the fuel to the original eyewall and eventually leads to its demise. This process may cause the storm to weaken temporarily, and its wind speeds may slow as it regains strength. Hurreicane Erin: Map reveals forecast path Erin's path continued to curve northward, with the center of the hurricane passing just to the north of the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. The northern Leewards stretch from the Virgin Islands to Guadeloupe and include St. Martin, St. Barts, and other islands. Officials had issued tropical storm watches for several islands, alerting people to the possibility of winds ranging between 39 mph and 73 mph. Erin's path continued curving northward, with the hurricane's center passing just north of the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. The northern Leewards, stretching from the Virgin Islands to Guadeloupe, include islands like St. Martin and St. Barts, among others. Officials issued tropical storm watches for several islands, warning residents of possible winds between 39 and 73 mph. According to a "spaghetti map" of the forecast models, the storm can be seen skirting the Caribbean islands and remaining well offshore of the U.S. East Coast as it moves north, CBS News reported. Hurricane Erin close enough to land to trigger flooding, landslides According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm's center was forecast to pass north of Puerto Rico. The Centre stated that heavy rain in some areas could trigger flash flooding, landslides, and mudslides, news agency AP reported. Tropical storm watches were issued for St. Martin, St. Barts, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The National Weather Service in San Juan issued an alert for Saturday night for nearly two-thirds of Puerto Rico, warning of 50 mph (80 kph) winds and urging people to shelter in safe structures. Power was knocked out to about 130,000 customers in the territory. Locals and tourists walked, exercised, and shopped as usual earlier in the day in the Puerto Rican capital, according to AP. Restaurants were busy, and despite warnings to avoid beaches, people could be seen in the water. Parents kept their children from swimming, however. Sarahí Torres and Joanna Cornejo, who were visiting from California for a Bad Bunny concert, said they decided to go to the beach and wade in because the skies were calm. 'The weather looked fine, so we came out,' Torres was quoted by AP as saying. The U.S. government deployed more than 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies as a precaution. Puerto Rico Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña said 367 shelters were inspected and ready to open if needed. Officials in the Bahamas also prepared shelters and urged people to monitor the storm's progress. Powerful rip currents could affect the U.S. East Coast from Florida to the mid-Atlantic next week, despite the eye of the storm forecast to remain far offshore, Brennan said. An 'incredible' race from tropical storm to Category 5 Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin gained strength at a pace that was 'incredible for any time of year, let alone Aug. 16.' Lowry said only four other Category 5 hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic on or before August 16. The most powerful storms tend to form later in the year (2025), with the hurricane season typically peaking in mid-September. Hurricanes Erin and 42 other hurricanes have reached Category 5 In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma rocketed from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in less than 24 hours, according to National Hurricane Center advisories from that time. Wilma weakened to a Category 3 hurricane before striking Florida. And in October 2007, Hurricane Felix took just over a day to go from a tropical storm to Category 5. Including Erin, there have been 43 hurricanes that have reached Category 5 status on record in the Atlantic, said Dan Pydynowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, a private forecasting company, according to AP. 'They're certainly rare, although this would mark the fourth year in a row that we've had one in the Atlantic basin,' Pydynowski said. Conditions needed for hurricanes to reach such strength include very warm ocean water, little to no wind shear, and being far from land, he said. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 and is expected to be unusually busy. Six to 10 hurricanes are predicted for the season, including three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph).
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Category 4 Hurricane Erin moves past northern Caribbean islands but not forecast to hit land
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Erin exploded in strength and became a major storm in Atlantic waters just north of the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day. The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin reached Category 5 status before weakening somewhat and becoming a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm's center was located about 150 miles (235 kilometers) northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it was heading toward the west at 15 mph (24 kph). While the hurricane's center was not expected to strike land, it threatened to dump flooding rains on islands in the region. Mike Brennen, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said Erin grew into a 'very powerful hurricane,' with its winds gaining 60 mph (96 kph) in about nine hours. The Hurricane Center said Erin should begin to slowly weaken as it increased wind shear. However forecasters predicted that it will remain a major hurricane until late next week. Erin close enough to land to trigger flooding, landslides The storm's center was forecast to remain at sea, passing north of Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center. But tropical storm watches were issued for St. Martin, St. Barts and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Hurricane Center warned that heavy rain in some areas could trigger flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. In San Juan, locals and tourists walked, exercised and shopped as usual Saturday. Restaurants were busy, and despite warnings to avoid beaches, people could be seen in the coastal waters. Parents kept their children from swimming, however. Sarahí Torres and Joanna Cornejo, who were visiting from California for a Bad Bunny concert, said they decided to go to the beach and wade into the water because the skies appeared calm. 'The weather looked fine, so we came out,' Torres said. The U.S. government deployed more than 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to Puerto Rico as a precaution. Puerto Rico Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña said 367 shelters were inspected and ready to open if needed. Meanwhile officials in the Bahamas prepared some public shelters as a precaution as they urged people to monitor the hurricane. 'These storms are very volatile and can make sudden shifts in movement,' said Aarone Sargent, managing director for the Bahamas' disaster risk management authority. Though compact, with hurricane-force winds extending 30 miles (45 km) from its center, Erin was expected to double or even triple in size in the coming days. Powerful rip currents could affect the U.S. East Coast from Florida to the mid-Atlantic next week, despite the eye of the storm forecast to remain far offshore, Brennan said. An 'incredible' race from tropical storm to Category 5 Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin gained strength at a pace that was 'incredible for any time of year, let alone Aug. 16th.' Lowry said only four other Category 5 hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic on or before Aug. 16. The most powerful storms tend to form later in the year, with the hurricane season typically peaking in mid-September. In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma rocketed from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in less than 24 hours, according to National Hurricane Center advisories from that time. Wilma weakened to a Category 3 hurricane before striking Florida. And in October 2007, Hurricane Felix took just over a day to go from a tropical storm to Category 5. Including Erin, there have been 43 hurricanes that have reached Category 5 status on record in the Atlantic, said Dan Pydynowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, a private forecasting company. 'They're certainly rare, although this would mark the fourth year in a row that we've had one in the Atlantic basin,' Pydynowski said. Conditions needed for hurricanes to reach such strength include very warm ocean water, little to no wind shear and being far from land, he said. Scientists say warming climate linked to storms strengthening faster Scientists have linked 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. Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting for meteorologists and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies. Hurricane Erick, a Pacific storm that made landfall June 19 in Oaxaca, Mexico, also strengthened rapidly, doubling in intensity in less than a day. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 and is expected to be unusually busy. Six to 10 hurricanes are predicted for the season, including three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph). ___ Bynum reported from Savannah. Georgia. Associated Press writers Isabella O'Malley in Philadelphia and Ivelisse Rivera in San Juan contributed. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Dánica Coto And Russ Bynum, The Associated Press
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erin explodes in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Atlantic near Caribbean islands
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a Category 5 storm in Atlantic waters just north of the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day, the National Hurricane Center said. While the compact hurricane's center was not expected to strike land, it threatened to dump flooding rains in the northeast Caribbean as it continued to grow larger. The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin ramped up from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in a mere 24 hours. By late Saturday morning, its maximum sustained winds had more than doubled to 160 mph (255 kph). Mike Brennen, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said Erin grew into a 'very powerful hurricane,' with its winds gaining 60 mph (96 kph) in about nine hours. The Hurricane Center said Erin should begin to slowly weaken Monday as the storm encounters increased wind shear. However forecasters predicted that it will remain a major hurricane until late in the week. Erin close enough to land to trigger flooding, landslides The hurricane remained a Category 5 storm Saturday evening, when it was located 135 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Anguilla and moving west at 15 mph (24 kph). The storm's center was forecast to remain at sea, passing 145 miles (233 kilometers) north of Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm watches were issued for St. Martin, St. Barts and St. Maarten and the Hurricane Center warned that heavy rain in some areas could trigger flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. The Turks and Caicos Islands southeast of the Bahamas were also under a tropical storm watch. Though compact, with hurricane-force winds extending 30 miles (45 km) from its center, Erin was expected to double or even triple in size in the coming days. Powerful rip currents could affect the U.S. East Coast from Florida to the mid-Atlantic next week, despite the eye of the storm forecast to remain far offshore, Brennan said. An 'incredible' race from tropical storm to Category 5 Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin gained strength at a pace that was 'incredible for any time of year, let alone August 16th.' Lowry said only four other Category 5 hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic on or before Aug. 16. The most powerful storms tend to form later in the year, with the hurricane season typically peaking in mid-September. In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma rocketed from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in less than 24 hours, according to National Hurricane Center advisories from that time. Wilma weakened to a Category 3 hurricane before striking Florida. And in October 2007, Hurricane Felix took just over a day to go from a tropical storm to Category 5. Including Erin, there have been 43 hurricanes that have reached Category 5 status on record in the Atlantic, said Dan Pydynowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, a private forecasting company. 'They're certainly rare, although this would mark the fourth year in a row that we've had one in the Atlantic basin,' Pydynowski said. Conditions needed for hurricanes to reach such strength include very warm ocean water, little to no wind shear and being far from land, he said. Scientists say warming climate linked to storms strengthening faster Scientists have linked 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. Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting for meteorologists and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies. Hurricane Erick, a Pacific storm that made landfall June 19 in Oaxaca, Mexico, also strengthened rapidly, doubling in intensity in less than a day. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, and the first hurricane. The 2025 season is expected to be unusually busy, with six to 10 hurricanes in the forecast including three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph). In San Juan, Puerto Rico, locals and tourists walked, exercised and shopped as usual Saturday. Restaurants were busy, and despite warnings to avoid beaches, people could be seen in the coastal waters. Parents kept their children from swimming, however. Sarahí Torres and Joanna Cornejo, who were visiting from California for a Bad Bunny concert, said they decided to go to the beach and wade into the water because the skies appeared calm. 'The weather looked fine, so we came out,' Torres said. The U.S. government deployed more than 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to Puerto Rico as a precaution. Puerto Rico Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña said 367 shelters were inspected and ready to open if needed. Meanwhile officials in the Bahamas prepared some public shelters as a precaution as they urged people to monitor the hurricane. 'These storms are very volatile and can make sudden shifts in movement,' said Aarone Sargent, managing director for the Bahamas' disaster risk management authority. ___ Bynum reported from Savannah. Georgia. Associated Press writers Isabella O'Malley in Philadelphia and Ivelisse Rivera in San Juan contributed. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Dánica Coto And Russ Bynum, The Associated Press
