Hurricane Erin is proving to be a monster storm, quickly jumping to a Category 5 storm on Saturday before losing a bit of strength.
Tropical-storm-force winds now extend more than 200 miles from the eye of the storm, coming as the Atlantic Hurricane Season is headed into its typical peak.
PREVIOUSLY | Hurricane Erin weakens to Category 3 but expands, prompting storm warnings in the Bahamas
The National Weather Service says atmospheric and oceanic conditions continue to point to an above-normal season.
NOAA forecasters have updated the expected number of named storms to 13-18. They say 5 to 9 of those storms could become hurricanes, with 2 to 5 ramping up to major hurricanes with winds hitting 111 miles an hour or stronger.
The weather service says the likelihood of above-normal activity is 50%. There is a 35% chance of a near-normal season, and a 15% chance of a below-normal season.
Despite this forecast, the season has produced no hurricanes so far, but there have been four named tropical storms.
Even though it has been relatively quiet so far, Hurricane Erin is proving that this season could come roaring back dangerously.
