Hurricane Erin Intensifies to Category 2 Near Leeward Islands

Miami, FL – Hurricane Erin, the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, rapidly intensified over the weekend, reaching Category 2 status with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. Officially classified as a hurricane on Friday morning, Erin is currently moving west-northwest at 17 mph and is located a couple of hundred miles from the northernmost Leeward Islands.

As the storm interacts with warmer ocean waters, meteorological forecasts indicate the potential for Erin to escalate further into a major hurricane, potentially reaching Category 3 or even Category 4 status over the weekend. This rapid intensification represents a significant risk for nearby regions, with Bermuda expected to experience considerable impacts, including strong winds and heavy rains. Residents along the East Coast and in Bermuda are advised to prepare for possible track adjustments, which may lead to hazardous conditions.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has reported that current projections indicate no landfall in the Southeast U.S., but the trajectory of Erin suggests it will pass north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. Rainfall amounts are expected to remain modest in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; however, the northern Leeward Islands and U.S. and British Virgin Islands may experience isolated rainbands leading to accumulations of up to 6 inches.

On Friday evening, surveillance flights by Hurricane Hunters using a NOAA WP-3 Orion revealed that the highest wind speeds were concentrated in the storm’s northwest quadrant. A C-130 from the Air Force confirmed these findings, emphasizing the intensity of the developing hurricane.

Forecast models anticipate a change in Erin’s path beginning Sunday or Monday, potentially positioning the storm offshore between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda. Direct impacts are likely in Bermuda, while rough surf and rip currents may affect North Carolina beaches by mid-next week.

Current Risks and Warnings

Tropical storm watches are currently in effect for several islands, including Anguilla, Barbuda, St. Martin, St. Barts, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The outer bands of Hurricane Erin may bring 2-4 inches of rain to the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico through Sunday, contributing to hazardous surf conditions along northern shores and western Atlantic beaches next week.

With wave heights potentially exceeding 50 feet due to the storm, visitors to the Outer Banks are urged to monitor Erin’s progression closely, as overwash and high surf could impact areas along Highway 12. Forecasters predict that Erin may pass offshore between the Outer Banks and Bermuda next Wednesday or Thursday.

Background on Hurricane Erin

Hurricane Erin is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, following storms Andrea, Barry, Chantal, and Dexter, none of which reached hurricane status. Meteorological developments and intense sea temperatures may have played a role in the swift intensification of this storm.

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Key Features of Hurricane Erin