SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Hurricane Erin has become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season and is forecast to rapidly intensify into a powerful Category 4 storm this weekend, with winds near 145 mph. Erin is tracking well offshore of the southeastern United States, turning north early next week and staying far from the Florida coastline.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Erin is expected to begin strengthening today, Aug. 13 and become a hurricane Friday, Aug. 15, and a strong Category 3 hurricane by Sunday, Aug. 17 as it moves out of an area with dry area and "marginal" sea surface temperatures.