Hurricane Erin Weakens To Category 3 but Still Threatens Caribbean

Hurricane Erin, the first major storm of the 2025 Atlantic season, was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane on Sunday, though it continues to bring dangerous conditions to the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) as the storm churned about 155 miles north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 300 miles east of Grand Turk Island.

Tropical storm warnings were issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with heavy rains and winds lashing Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Forecasters expect 3–6 inches of rain across the region, with isolated areas seeing up to 8 inches. More than 159,000 customers in Puerto Rico lost power Sunday morning, according to Luma Energy.

Swells are forecast to impact Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and nearby islands in the coming days. Scientists link Erin’s explosive intensification—briefly reaching Category 5 status—to warmer ocean waters fueled by climate change, which makes hurricanes both stronger and wetter.