Green flags lined Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday, signaling calm conditions. But as Hurricane Erin approaches, officials say things could change in the coming days.

U.S. shores are unlikely to see a direct hit, but a strong offshore hurricane can produce massive and dangerous waves well away from its center.

Hurricane Erin continues to churn in the Atlantic as it looks to swing north and away from the U.S. coastline. It is now a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. This is the first hurricane of the 2025 season in the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Over the weekend, northern portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are expected to receive tropical rain ranging from 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches. Flash flooding, landslides and mudslides will be the main concerns over the next several days.

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's winds decreased to 125 mph early Sunday morning, Aug. 17. Erin is still a major Category 3 hurricane and growing in size.

Experts warn the storm could develop into a category 4 hurricane before the weekend is out as they try to accurately predict where the system will make landfall

Hurricane Erin has weakened slightly overnight but remains a very strong storm with winds well over 120 mph, making it still a major hurricane. The track remains mostly unchanged. It will start making that northern turn in the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Erin continues its path through the Atlantic, prompting rip current warnings and surf advisories across much of the U.S. East

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm Saturday, Aug. 16, but winds decreased to 125 mph by Sunday morning, Aug. 17. Erin is still a major Category 3 hurricane and growing in size, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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.