Hurricane Erin becomes major storm with wind speed of 240 kmh in Atlantic waters

The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin, has exploded in strength and became a major storm in Atlantic waters just north of the Caribbean Islands on Sunday.

The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has downgraded it to a Category 4 storm from a Category 5, with maximum sustained winds of 240 kilometres per hour.

The hurricane is moving towards the West-Northwest with a turn more northward. It is expected to cause heavy rainfall today across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The storm’s centre was located about 150 miles (235 kilometres) northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it was heading toward the west at 15 mph (24 kph).

While the hurricane’s centre was not expected to strike land, it threatened to dump flooding rains on islands in the region.

Mike Brennen, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said Erin grew into a “potent hurricane,” with its winds gaining 60 mph (96 kph) in about nine hours.

The Hurricane Centre said Erin should begin to slowly weaken as it increased wind shear. However, forecasters predicted that it will remain a major hurricane until late next week.

Meanwhile, NOAA Hurricane scientists and the U.S. Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron fly straight into the eye of Hurricane Erin. These crews risk dangerous turbulence and extreme conditions to collect vital data on wind speeds, pressure, and storm structure information that satellites alone can’t capture.

Forecasters use the data gathered from these flights to fine-tune models, track the storm’s path, and improve warnings that help save lives. While current forecasts suggest Erin will curve out to sea and spare the U.S, its explosive growth highlights the importance of the Hurricane Hunters’ mission.