Hurricane Erin Downgraded to Category 3, Raising New Concerns

Hurricane Erin, the first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, has been downgraded from a catastrophic Category 5 to a more moderate Category 3, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. As of early Sunday, the storm was located approximately 330 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island, moving west-northwest.

Initially, Erin packed sustained winds of 160 mph but has eased to 125 mph. Meteorologists pinpointed a slower trajectory, with Erin expected to turn north by early next week. While tropical storm watches have been lifted for some islands, a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Turks and Caicos, and the southeastern Bahamas.

Forecasters warn that swells from Erin will impact a vast range from the Bahamas to Atlantic Canada. Despite the storm staying offshore, surf and rip currents pose life-threatening risks. Concerns also surface about fire hazards in dry regions, signaling potential wildfire risks if unfavorable conditions persist.

(With inputs from agencies.)