The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.

Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day, the National Hurricane Center said.

Erin has become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The quick-moving storm expected to become a strong Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph within the next 72 hours, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

The August weather might seem ideal for a beach trip, but Hurricane Erin will bring widespread danger in coming days.

5 p.m. Update: Erin is now organizing and strengthening over the Central Atlantic. Erin is expected to become at least a Catgory 3 hurricane but missing Puerto Rico to the north and staying well east of Florida. It is expected to reach Jacksonville’s latitude about early Wednesday, resulting in some rough seas and surf at area beaches next week.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance in the Gulf near Mexico while watching the path of Tropical Storm Erin.

Hurricane season spans from June 1 to November 30. Here’s what you should know before Erin or any future storm approaches land.