Tropical Wave Could Be Next Tropical Depression

Some of the worst impacts of Hurricane Erin could be seen on August 20 as it churned parallel to the U.S. East Coast. North Carolina's barrier islands saw significant waves crashing into shoreline homes and hotels.

As always we have a complete forecast that you can constantly check out for updates, and below we've tracked the latest on Erin's impacts, preparations and closures, as well as other major weather headlines across the U.S. and beyond on Wednesday, August 20.

(02:50 p.m. EDT) Japan Stunned By Bright Fireball

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

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A massive fireball ripped through the skies of western Japan, glowing in shades of green and blue and very much giving off alien invasion vibes. The brightness of the meteor turned the night sky into daylight in a matter of seconds.

This meteor was so powerful it reportedly sent vibrations through the air and was visible for miles.

Experts say it likely plunged into the Pacific Ocean, leaving residents scratching their heads and picking up their jaws.

(02:29 p.m. EDT) Deadly Floods Hit Pakistan’s Financial Center

From Morning Brief writer Wyatt Williams:

After last week’s devastating cloud bursts and mudslides, Pakistan continues to be hit with devastating flooding. This morning’s photo comes from Karachi, Pakistan, showing how roadways and other urban areas in the country’s financial capital have been inundated with high water. AP News reports that at least 746 people have died from the heavy rains since June 26.

(02:11 p.m. EDT) ‘Four Corners High’ In Place: Monsoons Soon?

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

As our meteorologists told you a few days ago, the Desert Southwest has had an extremely lackluster monsoon season so far, with the majority of the Four Corners region receiving less than 50% of their normal precipitation for the 60 day period ending on August 11, 2025.

The region could see more monsoons soon, however, as a “Four Corners High” pattern is now in place. Here’s more from NWS Flagstaff:

(01:45 p.m. EDT) Heading Into Hurricane Season’s Busiest Time

From digital meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser:

If Hurricane Erin and the two areas to watch in the Atlantic have you feeling tropics fatigue, you’ll want to buckle up because we are heading into hurricane season’s busiest time.

Typically we see two-thirds of Atlantic hurricane season activity between August 20th and October 10th. The peak day of the season climatologically is September 10th. Learn more about hurricane season’s peak months here.

(01:28 p.m. EDT) Kilauea Expected To Erupt Again Soon

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

Far away from Hurricane Erin, people are watching another example of nature’s power. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is likely to erupt between today and August 23rd.

The prolifically-erupting volcano has already had 30 eruptions since last December, many of them quite spectacular. This morning, hundreds of volcano enthusiasts are already streaming the USGS live cams of Kilauea, waiting for the big moment.

(01:07 p.m. EDT) Extreme Heat Continues In Southwest

From Morning Brief writer Wyatt Williams:

As a heat wave passes through, the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning in a large area of the Southwest for the rest of this week. The affected areas include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, where extreme heat has been record-breaking this year. With temperatures expected to peak above 110 in some areas, cooling stations have been opened throughout the Las Vegas Valley and other parts of the southwest.

(12:47 p.m. EDT) Erin Is The Enemy Of Vacationers

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

A family from Virginia thought they were settling into a relaxing Outer Banks vacation when Hurricane Erin threw their plans into chaos. Minutes after unloading their car following a full day's drive, a mandatory evacuation alert forced the Murrays to pack up and break the news to their young kids.

Instead of heading home, the family moved north to Kill Devil Hills, determined to ride out the storm and salvage what they could of their beach trip.

Even though they're farther away from the storm's path, they say they're still feeling some of Erin's wrath out in the Atlantic. Get the full details of the ordeal here.

(12:28 p.m. EDT) Surf Competition Is On Today, On Hold Tomorrow

From producer Carmen Molina:

The 63rd Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC), considered the longest, continuously running surf contest, is making adjustments to the schedule.

The event hosts more than 850 surfers from dozens of countries and it kicked off today in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

On Thursday, the competition will be on hold, but other activities are still happening that evening.

(12:07 p.m. EDT) Check Out This Strong Rip Current

This video from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, shows you why many beaches along the East Coast have banned swimming this week. You can clearly see a strong rip current, creating that frothy, white channel in the ocean. Rip currents will remain one of the big dangers of Hurricane Erin in the coming days, learn more about how to spot and survive them.

(11:48 a.m. EDT) Egrets And Lotus Flowers In China

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

Birds and blooms: Two signatures of summer that will be sorely missed by the time winter comes. This photo, taken today in China’s Jiangsu Province, captures a congregation of egrets (yes, that’s what you call a group of egrets) playing among blooming lotus flowers in Hongze Lake Wetland. Looking at it is kind of like taking a deep breath. Enjoy.

(11:33 a.m. EDT) Erin’s Impact on Sea Surface Temperatures Beginning To Surface

From meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

You can start to see the influence of Erin on ocean temperatures north of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. There is a notable several-degree drop in water temperatures where Erin hit its stride over the weekend and became the season’s first major hurricane.

Hurricanes utilize the difference in temperature between the steamy ocean and the chilly air at the top of the atmosphere to grow.

A major function of hurricanes is to remove the heat from the tropics and displace it toward the poles in the perpetual act of balancing the Earth’s temperatures.

(11:19 a.m. EDT) Infrared View Of Hurricane Erin Via Satellite

From producer Carmen Molina:

This is an infrared view of Hurricane Erin via NOAA's GOES-East, showing the storm spinning off the East Coast this morning.

You can follow Erin's path here.

(10:57 a.m. EDT) Wildfire Smoke Cuts Visibility In Broward

From senior engagement editor Ron Brackett:

Drivers are being warned that visibility could be cut to 3 miles or less as smoke from fires in the Everglades blows into Broward County, Florida.

The Mile Marker 39 Fire has burned through 1,600 acres, and the Sawgrass Fire has burned 250 acres, according to the Florida Fire Service.

The National Weather Service warned that people unusually sensitive to particle pollution should consider reducing the time they spend outdoors and cutting their activity level.

(10:33 a.m. EDT) Traveling Today? Make Sure To Check Your Flight’s Status

From producer Carmen Molina:

Hurricane Erin may lead to oceanic route closures, informs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on its Daily Air Traffic Report. Also, low clouds may slow flights in Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, New York (Newark, JFK, LaGuardia) and Washington, D.C.

(10:23 a.m. EDT) Head To The Swimming Pool, East Coast

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

There’s a very good reason why we keep seeing states along the East Coast banning ocean swimming today. As the latest Rip Current Risk map from the National Hurricane Center shows, the danger is high almost all the way up the coast, and, honestly, anyone who wants to take a dip should just find a swimming pool instead.

(10:08 a.m. EDT) Hurricane Hunters Find Stronger Erin

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

An Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter mission just measured a peak wind of 114 mph a whopping 92 miles northeast of the center of Hurricane Erin. That measurement was taken at the level the plane was flying, not at the surface. But that measurement in addition to a surface pressure 6 millibars lower than the 5 a.m. ET NHC advisory indicates Erin is strengthening.

But since Erin’s center and eyewall is forecast to remain offshore, the most significant aspect of the hurricane for U.S. impacts is the growing area its winds are covering, as we explain here.

(10:00 a.m. EDT) Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Closed

From producer Carmen Molina:

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, closed its access to the ocean until further notice. As the conditions worsen due to the dangerous water conditions and rip tides from Hurricane Erin, the beaches could be fully closed as well, per their announcement posted on Facebook. Some of their events for this upcoming weekend have already been canceled for this week.

(09:51 a.m. EDT) Outer Banks Warning: Your Window For Evacuating Is Closing

A dire warning this morning from the National Weather Service for people still in areas like Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. We’ve told you how we could see some of the worst coastal surges and flooding as the day progresses, so the window to evacuate is closing.

(09:37 a.m. EDT) ‘Ash Devil’ In Wyoming As Red Canyon Fire Rages

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

Wyoming’s Red Canyon Fire has ballooned to over 177 square miles in size, with 28% containment. As temperatures hit triple digits yesterday, a firefighter captured an incredible scene as an “ash devil” (a dust devil dark with ashes from the fire) came into view. Watch it here:

(09:25 a.m. EDT) Two Other Areas To Watch In The Atlantic Besides Erin

From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:

Hurricane Erin is definitely the main feature to watch right now in the Atlantic, but don’t lose sight on two more areas of interest that are right on Erin’s heels. The National Hurricane Center is watching one area in the central Atlantic that is showing signs of potential development.

This cluster of thunderstorms could become our next tropical depression as early as later this week or this weekend. Regardless of development, it will create unsettled weather in and around the northern Leeward Islands by Friday.

The second area is just south of the Cabo Verde Islands and has a small window of opportunity to develop into a tropical system before conditions become more unfavorable in the next few days. The next name on the hurricane list is Fernand.

(09:20 a.m. EDT) New Jersey Beaches Ban Swimming

From senior engagement editor Ron Brackett:

With Hurricane Erin creating high surf and dangerous rip currents, New Jersey has closed at least 16 beaches to swimming.

"We don't want anyone in the ocean," Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz told the Asbury Park Press.

The National Weather Service warned that large, breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet are expected in the surf zone on Wednesday and 7 to 12 feet on Thursday.

"Conditions at all beaches will be very dangerous. Extreme caution is advised for any beachgoers," the Weather Service said in a tweet.

(09:00 a.m. EDT) No Swimming At New York’s Southern Ocean Beaches; NYC Beaches Closed

From producer Carmen Molina:

Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to suspend swimming at Long Island ocean beaches due to flooding and rough surf conditions and potential rip tides resulting from Hurricane Erin.

Swimming has been restricted at Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Hither Hills State Parks through Thursday.

“The peak hurricane season is approaching, and we have strong preparations in place to keep people safe,” Hochul said.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams and Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, the parks commissioner, said Tuesday that city beaches would be closed for several days.

(08:29 a.m. EDT) Erin’s Waves Crash Into The Outer Banks

While hundreds of residents and tourists evacuated North Carolina’s Outerbanks on Tuesday, others got caught in some of the earliest flooding from Hurricane Erin. The combination of the storm and high tide sent waves surging into homes, hotels and Highway 12 - the only way in and out of those islands.

See it all in this video.

(08:15 a.m. EDT) Hurricane Erin Will Bring Impacts To Northeast, New England

From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:

While Hurricane Erin will stay well offshore, parts of southern New England and the Northeast will still feel impacts. Winds could gust as high as 30-50 mph at times along the southern parts of New England and the Northeast coast. High surf and coastal flooding will also be a concern as Erin’s steady onshore winds will push water toward the coast. High surf advisories are in place along the northern New Jersey coast, extending northeastward to Cape Cod. Waves higher than 10 feet are possible just offshore.