Update: Erin is now a hurricane. Will it threaten Hilton Head with rip currents?
Tropical Storm Erin became Hurricane Erin on Friday, making it the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2025 season.
As of 11 a.m. Friday, Erin strengthened from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 74 to 95 miles per hour. Forecasters predict that it will turn into a major hurricane, with at least 111 miles per hour of sustained winds, over the weekend.
Erin’s exact impacts Hilton Head are still uncertain, though the forecast will become clearer in the coming days. Many of the forecast models have Erin only nodding to the Lowcountry as it passes by to the east. But since Erin has the potential to reach Category 4, beachgoers on Hilton Head next week could see stronger-than-average rip currents and sea swells. The risk of coastal flooding and erosion is also heightened.
Hurricanes, even those far offshore, often generate large swells and life-threatening rip currents on local beaches. Fifteen percent of direct hurricane fatalities are the result of drownings caused by associated rip currents.
The rip current risk for Friday and Saturday remains low, and rough surf conditions are likely to begin early next week, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Emily McGraw.
The probable path of the storm remains offshore through the middle of next week. Erin is expected to move north after passing north of the Virgin Islands.
Heat Advisory
Beaufort County is also under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday. While the temperature will climb to the mid 90s, temperatures could feel as high as 108 degrees.
The rest of the weekend will see highs in the low 90s with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Update: at 11 a.m. Friday, this story was updated to reflect that Erin strengthened from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane.
This story was originally published August 15, 2025 at 10:28 AM.
