Erin strengthens to Category 5 hurricane
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A westward-moving tropical wave could produce an area of low pressure in the tropical Atlantic late in the week of Aug. 18, the hurricane center said on Aug. 16. The center shows a 20% chance of storm formation over the next week.
Earlier this morning, NOAA Hurricane Hunters found on their reconnaissance mission that Erin has strengthened into a Category 4 Major Hurricane with max sustained winds of 145 MPH.
The hatched areas on the National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone — which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane — could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking two systems in the Atlantic basin, including a new one moving into the Gulf.
As Saturday’s first light shone over powerful Erin, a clear and compact eye was discernible. This feature is the lowest point of pressure in