Created: Aug 20, 2025 12:40 PM (Updated: Aug 20, 2025 12:40 PM)
The predicted path of Hurricane Erin at midday on August 20 (Image courtesy of the Bermuda Weather Service)
Hurricane Erin’s predicted closest point of approach to Bermuda in the next three days shifted once again as the storm continued its path north today.
The Bermuda Weather Service said in its midday update that within the next 72 hours, the system’s nearest point was expected to be 390 miles to the island’s north-northwest at 12am on Friday.
Its short-term forecast added: “ … expect the very distant passage of Erin on Thursday night into Friday as winds may briefly increase to tropical storm force Thursday evening into Friday morning.
“Models do hint at a well-defined outer band moving through the area late Thursday night into Friday morning and this may bring squally weather for a brief time and winds stronger than currently forecast, especially over elevated and exposed areas.
“However, just as likely, we may just see strong winds and tropical storm force gusts over both days.
“Conditions should rapidly improve from Friday afternoon.
“Seas build very rough to high over the period peaking near 21 to 22ft.
“Building southwesterly to northerly swells along with dangerous surf and rip currents remain in the forecast.”
At midday today, Hurricane Erin was almost 550 miles west-southwest of Bermuda travelling north at about 13mph.
The system had maximum winds of 109mph with gusts to 132mph.
Key messages from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration included notice that Erin was expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the US East Coast, Bermuda and Atlantic Canada during the next several days.
The advisory added: “Beachgoers in those areas should follow advice from lifeguards, local authorities and beach warning flags.”
Jaché Adams, the Acting Minister of National Security, said on Monday that red flag warnings were expected on South Shore beaches in the coming days, “which means absolutely no one should be in the water”.
