Tropical Storm Erin formed Monday morning in the far eastern Atlantic, becoming the fifth named system of the 2025 hurricane season. An 11 a.m. EDT advisory from the U.S. National Hurricane Center placed the center of the storm just west of the Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and a westward motion of about 22 mph. Forecast models and the hurricane center agree that environmental conditions—warmer waters and low wind shear—should allow Erin to strengthen steadily, reaching hurricane status as early as Wednesday and potentially achieving major-hurricane (Category 3) intensity over the weekend. If the projection verifies, Erin would be the season’s first hurricane and first major hurricane. While most ensemble guidance currently favors a gradual turn northward over open waters, forecasters caution that the track remains uncertain. Residents and interests from the northern Leeward Islands to Bermuda and along the U.S. East Coast are advised to follow updates, as the storm is expected to generate large swells, dangerous surf and rip currents next week even if it stays offshore.