Erin's Journey: A Storm to Watch in the Atlantic

A new tropical storm, Erin, has appeared in the Atlantic Ocean. It might grow into the first hurricane of the season.

Storm Origin and Path

• Started near the Cabo Verde islands, off Africa's west coast.
• Experts predict it will move west and could become a major hurricane near the Caribbean islands by the end of the week.
• Not a threat to the U.S. right now.

Storm Statistics

• Fifth named storm this season, which began a couple of months ago.
• Other storms like Dexter and Chantal have come and gone.
• Dexter didn't affect any land.
• Chantal caused flooding in the Carolinas.

Forecast for the Season

• Weather experts predict a busy season, with 13 to 18 named storms.
• Out of these, 5 to 9 could turn into hurricanes.

What Makes a Storm a Hurricane?

• A tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm when winds reach 39 mph.
• Hurricanes are stronger, with winds of at least 74 mph.
• They are rated from Category 1 to 5, with 5 being the worst.
• A major hurricane is a Category 3 or higher, with winds over 111 mph.