Article first published: Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, 4 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, 7 p.m. ET

System type: Hurricane, Category 1

System name: Erin

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 7 p.m. Friday advisory, the tropical storm named Erin developed into a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph. It was previously forecasted as a tropical storm but has since gained strength. Category 1 Hurricane Erin is in the Atlantic Ocean, 310 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. With maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, the hurricane is moving west-northwest at 17 mph.

“… the center of Erin is likely to move just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend”, according to forecasters. They also said “Steady to rapid strengthening is expected over the next few days, and Erin is forecast to become a major hurricane during the weekend.”

Portions of the northern leeward islands under a tropical storm watch, forecasters report.

Changes with this advisory

The Meteorological Service of Antigua/Barbuda has discontinued the Tropical Storm Watch for the island of Barbuda.

Watches and warnings currently in effect

• Tropical Storm Watch for:

• Anguilla

• St. Martin and St. Barthelemy

• Saba and St. Eustatius

• Sint Maarten

Meaning of the different watches and warnings

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case over the next 24 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, as well as in the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas should monitor the progress of Erin.

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall. The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall tonight into Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of 6 inches, are expected. This rainfall may lead to isolated and locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides.

For a complete forecast of rainfall and flash flooding associated with Erin, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?rainqpf

Wind. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by early Saturday.

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 early next week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?ripCurrents

Source: National Hurricane Center