27 Mar, 2026

Storm Erin emerges in the Atlantic off the Cape Verde Islands

Storm Erin emerges in the Atlantic off the Cape Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Erin, the fifth of the current Atlantic season, emerged this Monday west of the Cape Verde Islands in Africa, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), which for now detects no dangers on land.

The cyclone emerged 280 miles (455 kilometers) west of the Cape Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (75 kilometers per hour), the NHC said in its report.

The report noted that "Erin is moving toward the west near 20 mph (31 kph), and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days."

"Previous satellite wind data indicated maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (75 kph) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next few days," the NHC advisory said.

In addition to this phenomenon, the NHC is monitoring two systems in the Atlantic, east of the United States, with a 10% chance of cyclone formation within a week.

Erin emerges after the formation of storms Andrea, Barry, Dexter, and Chantal in the Atlantic, which was the first to make landfall in the United States this year, leaving at least two people dead in North Carolina in July.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Friday that it expects increased tropical storm activity in the Atlantic during the second half of the hurricane season, predicting between two and five "major" hurricanes between August and November.

NOAA maintained its forecast for an "above-normal" hurricane season, estimating between 13 and 18 tropical storms, of which between five and nine could develop into hurricanes.