Erin to bring coastal impacts to ENC

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We’re keeping a close eye on powerful Hurricane Erin as well as a strong tropical wave moving off of Africa.

Erin’s winds remain near 140 mph Monday evening, making it a Category 4 hurricane. Erin continues to move northwest at 10 mph. The central pressure in Erin is around 937 millibars. The turn north will be sharper late Monday afternoon into Monday night, with the track staying offshore of the U.S. coast.

Erin is expected to recurve away from Eastern NC(maxuser | WITN Weather)

We’re giving you the First Alert that large waves and high rip current risks are likely for Eastern North Carolina beaches starting Tuesday and persisting through Thursday.

Includes the coastal waters of the Crystal Coast, Eastern Carteret County, The Pamlico Sounds... — Includes the coastal waters of the Crystal Coast, Eastern Carteret County, The Pamlico Sounds and the OBX(maxuser | WITN Weather)

Tropical Storm Watches are also active for the Outer Banks, and areas along the Crystal Coast. Erin may track close enough to the coast for 50-60 mph wind gusts across the Pamlico Sound and Outer Banks.

What does it mean for the U.S. and Eastern NC?

Erin’s track remains consistent and is expected to split Hatteras and Bermuda. Even as the center of Erin passes a few hundred miles offshore, windy conditions are possible for the Outer Banks. Travel on Highway 12 could be impossible at times due to large waves and associated overwash at high tide. The rest of ENC’s coastline will also experience beach erosion and a high risk of rip currents.

Erin is going to be huge. Tropical storm wind gusts could spread over 500 miles. Even with the center hundreds of miles offshore, here’s a reasonable worst-case expectation for wind gusts late Wednesday-early Thursday. If Erin tracks closer to Bermuda, gusts will be weaker.

A disturbance moving off the coast of Africa could develop into a weak low this week. Any tropical development isn’t expected until mid-to-late week. It’s too early to know if this will be a threat to the US.

Disturbance in the Atlantic has 60% of developing into a tropical depression or named storm... — Disturbance in the Atlantic has 60% of developing into a tropical depression or named storm over the next seven days(WITN Weather)

Stay tuned for updates as things can change quickly in the tropics. For now, this is a reminder that we’re moving deeper into the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season, the time of year when storms form more frequently.

Peak Hurricane season is inching closer as we begin August, and that will continue through... — Peak Hurricane season is inching closer as we begin August, and that will continue through mid-October(WITN)

For more tropical updates on the 2025 hurricane season, download the free WITN First Alert Weather App, available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It’s the fastest way to get the latest advisories, track storms in real-time, and receive any warnings issued for your area.