Erin is officially the first hurricane of the 2025 season. Maximum sustained winds of 75 mph were recorded Friday, Aug. 15, as the storm continues to move west-northwest near 18 mph. Wind speeds are expected to strengthen, and the hurricane will likely become a major hurricane over the weekend.

Erin was a strong tropical storm early Friday morning, Aug. 15, but is expected to become a hurricane later Aug. 15 and a major hurricane by Sunday morning, Aug. 17. A major hurricane is one that's a Category 3 storm or higher, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

Authorities have issued tropical storm watches for Anguilla, Barbuda, and St. Martin, potentially delivering heavy rain and strong winds.

Erin escalated from a tropical storm to a hurricane Friday morning after gaining strength, making it the first of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Erin has rapidly intensified into a major hurricane. The storm officially became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on Frida. As of 6 a.m. on Saturday, Erin has become a Category 4 hurricane.

A nice weekend is on the way in North Carolin with plenty of sunshine. Isolated afternoon storm chances will return. The North Carolina coast may have minor coastal flooding, high surf, and dangerous rip currents develop as Hurricane Erin is expected to remain offshore and between the Carolinas and Bermuda next week.

Here's a look at what to expect in Wilmington this weekend as Hurricane Erin continues to swirl in the Atlantic Ocean.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking three systems in the Atlantic basin, including a new homegrown system that appeared late Aug. 12.