Impending Hurricane Threat: What New Jersey Needs to Know

The Atlantic Ocean is currently experiencing Tropical Storm Erin, a tropical rainstorm that is expected to develop into a hurricane later this week, according to forecasters. The Garden State may be affected in the following ways.

According to NOAA's National Hurricane Center, Erin was formally classified as a tropical storm on Monday and is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane this week, the first of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. According to models, the storm will soon strengthen even more and become a powerful hurricane.

The storm tracks away from the United States and returns to the sea in one of the two possibilities being monitored. It will move toward the shore in the second.

Erin can be guided out to sea and away from the East Coast if the trough is bigger and moves more quickly. With recurrent storms, this is the usual situation. The storm can move further westward toward the Carolina coast if the trough moves more slowly, according to DaSilva. "This week, people on the East Coast, particularly those in eastern Canada and the Outer Banks, should keep a careful eye on forecast updates."

Either way, New Jersey wouldn't experience any effects until next week. Next week, Erin is expected to produce rip currents and rough surf along the Jersey Shore, even if it tracks away.

As the forecast gets more specific over the coming days, residents in New Jersey should keep an eye on it.

At this time of year, the Atlantic hurricane season is intensifying. AccuWeather reports that August 11 is typically the first hurricane to occur. Although they are not anticipated to get stronger, two more systems are presently emerging in the Atlantic.

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