Hurricane Erin continues to move away from NC coast: See path tracker
Hurricane Erin is entering the first stages of a post-tropical transition as it continues to move away from the eastern coast of the United States, although swimming at many beaches is likely to remain dangerous for a few more days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The latest Hurricane Weather Center advisory, released at 5 a.m. ET on Aug. 22, shows that Erin is located about 425 miles south-southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph with higher gusts. Forecasters predict that Erin will likely transition to a post-tropical storm by Friday night, Aug. 22, but will continue to be a "powerful hurricane-force low pressure system" through the weekend.
Erin is currently moving northeastward at 22 mph, with a turn toward the east-northeast expected later on Friday, August 22. The storm is then forecast to turn back toward the northeast on Sunday, August 24. The center of Erin is anticipated to pass south of Atlantic Canada throughout the day on Aug. 22 and then race across the north Atlantic waters.
Forecasters said tropical storm-force winds are possible in extreme southeastern Massachusetts during the next couple of hours, with gusts to gale force possible along portions of Nova Scotia and the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Swells generated by Erin will continue to affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada during the next several days, causing life-threatening surf and rip currents. Coastal flooding is expected at times of high tide along portions of the Mid-Atlantic and New England coasts through Friday night, Aug. 22, making some roads impassable, forecasters said.
More on Hurricane Erin: Weakened Hurricane Erin heads away from US, leaving flooding along East Coast
Hurricane Erin path tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Hurricane Erin spaghetti models
Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.
Hurricane center tracking three other systems in the Atlantic
Erin is not the only system currently spinning in the Atlantic Ocean, as the NHC said in an Aug. 22 advisory, it is tracking three other systems.
An area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave is located a few hundred miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.
Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development of this system, currently labeled as Invest 90L, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend as it moves northwestward and then northward, between the Lesser Antilles and Bermuda. Forecasters give the system a 70% chance of formation through the next 48 hours.
A second tropical wave, located about a thousand miles west-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands, is producing showers and thunderstorms that remain well organized, according to the hurricane center.
This system could become a tropical depression at any time, but NHC forecasters stated that the latest satellite-derived wind data indicate the system lacks a well-defined circulation center. The system is also expected to move into a less conducive environment later Friday, Aug. 22, through Saturday, but could reach a slightly more favorable environment late this weekend or early next week.
The hurricane center gives this system a 60% chance of formation through the next seven days.
Lastly, a small area of low pressure located well southwest of the Azores is moving through a dry environment and only producing occasional showers. Upper-level winds appear unfavorable, according to the hurricane center, and development chances are decreasing. This system is likely to dissipate over the next day or so.
Bird's-eye view of Erin: See how Hurricane Erin looks from space as storm moves east
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.
Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, because flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass; seal outside wall openings.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Erin continues to move away from NC coast. See path tracker