New Delhi, August 18 — The Meteorological Department has expressed surprise over the sudden intensification of Hurricane Erin in the Atlantic Ocean, the world’s second-largest ocean. Within just 24 hours, the storm escalated from a Category-1 to a powerful Category-5 hurricane — a phenomenon that left experts astonished.
According to meteorologists, Erin’s wind speeds surged from 75 miles per hour (mph) on Friday morning to a record 160 mph (about 260 km/h) by Saturday. Experts have linked this unusually rapid strengthening to climate change and rising ocean temperatures.
What is Rapid Intensification?
In meteorological terms, “rapid intensification” refers to a cyclone that gains at least 35 mph in wind speed within 24 hours. Hurricane Erin far exceeded this threshold, more than doubling its power in a single day. While such intense storms are typically seen in September and October, Erin reached Category-5 status unusually early — in mid-August.
Category-5 Storms Becoming More Frequent
Erin is now the 43rd Category-5 storm recorded in the Atlantic. Alarmingly, since 2016, the region has witnessed 11 such superstorms — an unusually high number in less than a decade. This year’s hurricane season marks the fourth consecutive season in which a Category-5 storm has formed.
In 2024, hurricanes Beryl and Milton reached similar strength, highlighting a troubling trend. Meteorologists warn that this pattern could be a clear indicator of the worsening climate crisis.
Path of Hurricane Erin
Current forecasts suggest that Erin will not make direct landfall on Puerto Rico or the Caribbean islands. Instead, it is expected to track northward into the open Atlantic, between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda.
However, its outer bands may still bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding to nearby regions. Officials continue to monitor the storm closely as it progresses.