Tropical Storm Erin to be Atlantic's first hurricane of 2025 with major strengthening likely
Tropical Storm Erin is currently located west of the Cabo Verde Islands and is currently being monitored by the NHC for further development.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross’ exclusive analysis of Tropical Storm Erin
Tropical Storm Erin will move west across the Atlantic Ocean through the week into the vicinity of the northern Caribbean islands. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross breaks down the uncertainty surrounding Erin’s track beyond that point.
Tropical Storm Erin formed in the central Atlantic Ocean on Monday morning and is forecast to strengthen, likely becoming the Atlantic season's first major hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center said that Tropical Storm Erin's winds reached 45 mph, officially designating it as a tropical storm.
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph and is a step above a tropical depression.
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Tropical Storm Erin is currently located west of the Cabo Verde Islands and is currently being monitored by the NHC for further development.
Tropical Storm Erin as seen on NOAA satellite on Aug. 11, 2025.
(NOAA)
Over the next few days, Erin is forecast to continue moving west at 15-20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.
The latest forecast track shows Erin moving north of Puerto Rico by this weekend with gradual strengthening to a hurricane. Erin could become the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season if it reaches Category 3 strength. A hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 111-129 mph is considered to be a Category 3 cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Tropical rain turns deadly in Cabo Verde islands
Before even becoming Tropical Storm Erin, the system brought heavy rain and storms to the Cabo Verde, or Cape Verde, islands when it was known as Invest 97L.
![Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Image 1 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
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Image 2 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
![Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Image 3 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
![Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Image 4 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
![Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Image 5 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
![Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Image 6 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
![Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Image 7 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
![Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Image 8 of 8Flooding damage on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde on Aug. 11, 2025. (Angelo Barbosa/Facebook )
The local government said flooding damaged roads and private property. There are reports of people missing and fatalities from the storms. Republic of Cabo Verde President José Maria Neves said multiple people died on the island of São Vicente.
On Monday, the Cabo Verde government declared a state of calamity on St. Vincent and St. Anthony.
Video and photos show flooding, submerged vehicles and damage across the island.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.