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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States confirmed this Friday that Erin has reached Category 1 hurricane status, becoming the first of the 2025 hurricane season in the Atlantic.
According to the bulletin issued at 11:00 a.m. (AST), the system is located at a latitude of 18.2°N and longitude of 56.1°W, moving west-northwest at 28 km/h (18 mph), with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 996 mb.
The NHC forecasts that the cyclone will pass near or north of the Leeward Islands on Saturday and will continue to strengthen, potentially reaching significant intensity—between 3 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale—between Saturday and Sunday.
Although the forecast cone has continued to tilt northward, moving it away from Cuba and the Florida peninsula, warnings remain in effect for other regions of the Caribbean.
Before moving to open waters, Erin could cause heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and landslides in the south and east of Puerto Rico, as well as in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
The areas closest to its center could experience tropical storm conditions as it moves north of the islands.
The Florida meteorological center reported that Erin is a formidable hurricane over the western Atlantic, and that "the Bahamas archipelago will shield our waters and beaches from most of the wave action associated with the storm."
"Even so, the risk of waves and rip currents may increase on our northeastern coast beaches next week," the entity warned on X.
Erin formed last Monday west of Cape Verde, leaving at least seven dead, several missing, and significant material damage in its wake across the African archipelago.
Currently, the NHC does not rule out potential impacts next week in the Bahamas or Bermuda, depending on the evolution of its trajectory.
This is the fifth named system of the season in the Atlantic, following Andrea, Barry, Chantal, and Dexter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a "above-normal" season, with between 13 and 18 tropical storms and up to five major hurricanes from August to November.
Frequently asked questions about Hurricane Erin and the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season
What category has Hurricane Erin reached in the 2025 hurricane season?
Erin has reached Category 1 hurricane status, making it the first of the 2025 hurricane season in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States confirmed its strengthening, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h and a minimum central pressure of 996 mb. It is expected to continue gaining strength in the coming days.
Will Hurricane Erin affect Cuba or the Florida Peninsula?
According to forecasts from the NHC, Erin will not impact Cuba or the Florida peninsula. The hurricane's trajectory cone has shifted northward, distancing it from these areas. However, warnings remain in effect for other parts of the Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
What impacts could hurricane Erin have on the Caribbean?
Erin could trigger heavy rains, flash flooding, and landslides in the south and east of Puerto Rico, as well as in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Areas closest to its center may experience tropical storm conditions as it moves north of the islands.
What is expected for the 2025 hurricane season in the Atlantic?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) anticipates a "above-normal season", with between 13 and 18 tropical storms and up to five major hurricanes. So far, Erin is the fifth named storm of the season, following Andrea, Barry, Chantal, and Dexter.
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