Erin, the first hurricane of the season, is now a powerful Category 5 hurricane. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.

Hurricane Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season Friday (Aug. 15) morning, strengthening as it moves toward the northeast Caribbean and prompting tropical storm watches for parts of the northern Leeward Islands.

As of Saturday morning, Erin has become a Category 5 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are at 160 mph, and the storm is moving west-northwest at 17 mph with a lower pressure down to 917 mb. Erin is encountering warmer ocean water as it moves closer to the northernmost Leeward Islands. Hurricane Hunters are currently investigating the storm.

Erin is expected to reach major hurricane intensity this weekend as it tracks just north of the Caribbean islands, where it could bring rain, gusty winds and high surf.Erin's longer-term future through next week is still somewhat uncertain,

The National Hurricane Center expects this storm to gradually strengthen over the next day or so, but also warned of its potential to rapidly intensify within the next 24 to 48 hours.