The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is typically from mid-August to mid-October, with September being the most active month, according to the National Hurricane Center.
But, also noted by the NHC, Aug. 11 — the day Tropical Storm Erin formed — is the average date for the first Atlantic hurricane of the season to form. The website Yale Climate Connections recounts some of the other hurricanes that developed on Aug. 11 in past years: 1911 (before storms were named); Diane formed in 1955; Charley formed in 2004; and John formed in 1994.
It's just another reason all eyes are on Erin's path, which is also predicted to become the first major hurricane of 2025, according to NHC, potentially even a Category 3 if it makes landfall.
When is peak hurricane season?
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 but its peak is typically from mid-August to mid-October, with September being the most active month.
What weather factors contribute to the peak hurricane season?
Overall, there are several factors that create "perfect storm" conditions in the Atlantic's peak season, including warmer sea surface temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions during this period, according to the Weather Channel.
More specifically:
Tropical waves are more defined, meaning they can track west more easily.
The dry, dusty Saharan air we saw drift our way this summer helps to prevent hurricanes from developing making way for more moist air favoring hurricanes.
Wind speed and height which can dissipate tropical storm conditions, direction with height, tends to be lower in the peak months.
Sea surface temperatures increase in late-summer and early-fall, creating more energy for a tropical storm to form.
How active a hurricane season has 2025 been so far?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted 2025 to be an above-normal hurricane season, expecting 13 to 19 storms to form with six to 10 of them becoming hurricanes. So far, five tropical storms have been named: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter and Erin, but the season is far from over.
Will Erin become the next peak season hurricane to hit the East Coast?
It was too early to know exactly what impact Erin may have on Florida and the East Coast as of Aug. 14, according to the most recent reporting by The News-Journal.
Tropical Storm Erin is beginning to strengthen and is expected to become a hurricane by Friday afternoon, Aug. 15, and a major hurricane by Sunday morning, Aug. 17, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
The current forecast predicts Erin will become a very strong Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph within five days.
A major hurricane is one that's a Category 3 or higher, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
Will Tropical Storm Erin affect the Daytona Beach and Flagler areas?
“The vast majority of guidance keeps it (Erin) out at sea, but it’s still about five to seven days out before that curve starts to happen,” Jared Heil, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, said. “We’ve seen things change before, so we want people to think about what they need to be doing if a storm approaches."
When is Florida tax-free for hurricane supplies?
All year now, since Gov. DeSantis extended what was a month-long break from taxing hurricane-related items to a permanent tax holiday, so you might as well hit the store to get what you need before the impact of Erin is known.
Tax-free items include equipment needed for power outages like, portable generators; gas cans under 5 gallons and various sizes of batteries from AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 volts; safety equipment like fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, life jackets and bike helmets, and tarps and tie-down kits. Bottled water, first aid kits and many food items are already available at the grocery store tax-free.
Staff Writer Jim Abbott contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Tropical Storm Erin continues to strengthen. Will it hit Florida?
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