Hurricane Erin is still a strong hurricane and is expected to grow even larger, expanding its wind field. Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda and Atlantic Canada this week.
Erin formed on Aug. 11 and strengthened into a hurricane on Aug. 15. Just one day later, it rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane on Aug. 16. It brushed past the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and dangerous surf, but it has avoided any direct impacts to land.
Erin is a Category 2 hurricane with maximum winds of 100 mph. It’s moving steadily northwest at 13 mph across the western Atlantic.
During the next few days, Erin is forecast to take a turn to the north, and eventually the northeast. It’s expected to stay offshore of the U.S. East Coast, moving in between Bermuda and the U.S.
Erin is expected to remain a hurricane through late week. Cooler waters and increasing wind shear will weaken this storm by the weekend.
The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Beaufort Inlet to Duck, N.C.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Bermuda
- North of Duck, N.C. to Cape Charles Light to Chincoteague, Va.
Storm Surge Warnings are also in effect from Cape Lookout to Duck, N.C. The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
The water could reach up to 2 to 4 feet above ground level from Cape Lookout to Duck, N.C., and 1 to 3 feet southward to parts of South Carolina, and northward to the Delmarva Peninsula.
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast.
The primary impacts across these areas will occur late tonight into Thursday as Erin passes closest offshore, especially during high tide.
While the strongest winds will stay over the Atlantic, it’s likely that some strong wind gusts will impact the Outer Banks, and possibly the Canadian Maritimes.
We will continue to bring you the latest updates for Erin and the rest of the tropics.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Spectrum News Weather Staff
Source link











