A hurricane in the Caribbean Sea has rapidly strengthened into a major storm within 24 hours.
Hurricane Erin, the first of the 2025 Atlantic season, has transitioned from maximum sustained winds of 100mph (160kph) to 160mph (255kph) before weakening to 140mph (220kph). Consequently, it has downgraded from Category 5 to Category 4, despite still posing a risk of “catastrophic damage.” This warning has been issued by the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC).
Erin’s power surge occurred as it moved westward past the Leeward Islands, Anguilla, Guadaloupe, and the Virgin Islands. On Saturday evening, the hurricane’s structure transformed, yet it remained intimidating, as its rain and winds affected Puerto Rico.
While Erin is not expected to make landfall, it could generate fatal surf and rip currents once it turns northward next week. Beaches in the Bahamas, the US east coast, and Atlantic Canada might experience the impact, according to the NHC.
Seasonal storms have already affected multiple islands, with tropical storm watches being implemented for several Caribbean islands including St Barts and St Maarten. The NHC warns of possible flash flooding, landslides, and mudslides due to heavy rainfall, particularly affecting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Sunday.
Before the disruptions, the US government dispatched over 200 workers, including Federal Emergency Management Agency employees, to Puerto Rico as a precautionary measure. Erin’s winds extend 30 miles from its center, making it a compact hurricane. The NHC predicts its gradual weakening by Monday, though it will remain a major hurricane until late next week.
Rapidly intensifying hurricanes complicate forecasting and emergency response planning. Scientists attribute the quick intensification of hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean to climate change, causing increased water vapor in the atmosphere and warmer ocean temperatures. These factors provide more strength to hurricanes and trigger heavier rainfall. Erin marks the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/hurricane-erin-reaches-wind-speeds-of-up-to-160mph-near-caribbean-13413030
