Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, rapidly intensified Friday night, with the storm now reaching Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 160 mph.

As Hurricane Erin lifts northward into the Atlantic, it will drag drier air into Florida. The result will be lower rain and storm chances midweek, with temps in the mid 90s. The moisture looks to quickly build for the back end of next week, with temps holding in the mid 90s.

South Florida beachgoers are being warned of life-threatening rip currents that are expected along the coastline next week, as part of the impacts from Hurricane Erin.

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.

Here's a quick, easy-to-read look on the latest about Tropical Storm Erin, including what Florida residents should be doing.

Invest 97L, an area of low pressure associated with tropical wave now has a high probability of developing next week.

Tropical Storm watches are now in effect for parts of the northern Leeward Islands as Erin is expected to become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season by Friday, according to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center.