Tropical Storm Erin: Predicted to Become a Category 3 Hurricane! A New Threat to the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Tropical Storm Erin, the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, formed on Monday, August 11, 2025, west of the Cabo Verde Islands.

According to CNN, as of August 12, 2025, Tropical Storm Erin was located approximately 901 km (560 mi) northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 72 km/h (44 mph).

The storm's minimum central pressure was recorded at 1,004 millibars.

An area of tropical storm-force winds extends 56 km (35 mi) from the center, indicating the extent of its impacts.

While no coastal warnings or watches are currently in effect, Erin is expected to continue strengthening throughout the week.

It has the potential to become a Category 3 hurricane or greater by the weekend.

11am EDT Mon Aug 11th - Tropical Storm #Erin has formed in the far eastern tropical Atlantic just west of the Cabo Verde Islands.Maximum sustained winds are 45 mph & intensification is forecast as it moves westward across the open tropical Atlantic.https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/JUtKJPe8IS

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 11, 2025

Tropical Storm Erin officially formed on Monday, August 11, 2025, in the western region of the Cabo Verde Islands.

This natural phenomenon became the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which is predicted to be very active.

As of August 12, 2025, Tropical Storm Erin was identified at coordinates 17.4°N, 28.0°W.

This location places the storm approximately 901 kilometers northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Erin is also approximately 3,251 to 3,709 kilometers east of the northern Leeward Islands, indicating it is still quite far from the mainland.

The maximum sustained wind speed recorded for Tropical Storm Erin is 72 kilometers per hour, accompanied by higher gusts.

The storm is moving at 32 to 35 kilometers per hour and heading west.

Its minimum central pressure was recorded at 1004 millibars, and an area of tropical storm-force winds extended up to 56 kilometers from its center.

The latest forecast indicates that Tropical Storm Erin is expected to continue strengthening significantly throughout this week.

Meteorologists project Erin will reach hurricane status on Thursday.

In fact, there is a high potential for the storm to intensify into a Category 3 or greater storm, known as a major hurricane, by the weekend.

Tropical Storm Erin's track is predicted to continue westward over the next few days.

Afterward, the storm will gradually turn northwestward over the weekend, bringing Erin north of the Leeward Islands.

While forecast models indicate a northward turn, there is still uncertainty regarding the exact timing and location of that turn.

This uncertainty will significantly impact Erin's potential impact on the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, and the East Coast of the United States.

Currently, there are no projections for a direct landfall on the U.S. mainland.

However, high waves and rip currents are expected to impact the Atlantic coast of the United States this weekend.

So far in 2025, there have been four named tropical storms—Andrea, Barry, Chantal, and Dexter—but no hurricanes have formed yet. Calmness is common early in the season, as historically the first storm forms on this day, August 11.

However, hurricanes have emerged much earlier in recent years.

There had already been two hurricanes – Beryl and Debby – with another approaching – Ernesto – by this point last year.

Forecasters predict above-average tropical activity this year, and more hurricanes could form in the coming weeks.

The National Hurricane Center has also identified three other areas of potential tropical storm development this week in the Atlantic.

Each area has only a low chance of development, but it is a sign that the basin is ready to collapse.