Look at the size of Erin this morning

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13. Hurricane Erin becomes Category 5, will fuel dangerous surf, coastal flood risk from Carolinas to New England

Hurricane Erin becomes Category 5, will fuel dangerous surf, coastal flood risk from Carolinas to New England

Erin rapidly intensified into a major Category 5 hurricane Saturday morning with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. After departing the Caribbean, Erin will set its sights on the East Coast of the United States, with the severity of impacts dependent on its track.

Erin is moving over water temperatures that are higher than the historical average not just at the surface but also hundreds of feet deep. These warm waters, combined with very little in the way of dry air and wind shear, have created "near perfect" conditions for rapid intensification, according to AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.

How long Erin tracks west before turning to the north will determine how close it comes to the East Coast and Bermuda as well as how widespread the impacts may be next week.

"Erin is forecast to slowly curve to the north as it continues to strengthen over the weekend. At this time, the storm is forecast to remain hundreds of miles off the East Coast," DaSilva said.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/hurricane-erin-becomes-category-5-will-fuel-dangerous-surf-coastal-flood-risk-from-carolinas-to-new-england/1805632