Weather, Tropical Weather, and Wildfire Headlines for August 15, 2025

Tropical Weather Updates

• Hurricane Erin Becomes First Hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic Season: Hurricane Erin has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph.¹ It is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season.² Forecasts show Erin could undergo rapid intensification and reach major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher) over the weekend.³ The storm is currently on a path that is expected to take it near or just north of the northern Leeward Islands.⁴ While a direct U.S. landfall is uncertain, forecasters continue to monitor the storm’s potential track.⁵
  • Source: National Hurricane Center (NHC) – https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/cyclones/
  • Source: National Weather Service – https://www.weather.gov/
  • Source: FOX Weather – https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/prep-file-hurricane-erin-becomes-first-hurricane-2025-atlantic-season

Weather and Severe Storms

• Heavy Rainfall Threat in the Upper Midwest and South Texas: Invest 98L, a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico, is bringing heavy rainfall to South Texas this weekend.⁶ Meanwhile, a stalled front and humid air are setting the stage for multiple rounds of thunderstorms and a risk of heavy rainfall across central and southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin.⁷
  • Source: National Weather Service – https://www.weather.gov/
  • Source: FOX Weather – https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news
  • Source: MPR News – https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/08/15/humid-air-stalled-front-setting-the-stage-for-heavy-rainfall-risk

Wildfire News

• Active Wildfire Season Continues Across the U.S. West: As of today, there are 46 large wildfires burning across the United States. Firefighting resources are in high demand, particularly hotshot crews and air support.⁸ The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) reports that 17,731 firefighters and support personnel are currently assigned to incidents.⁹
  • Source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) – https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
• California Wildfires Remain a Concern: California continues to battle several significant wildfires.¹⁰ The King Fire in Los Angeles County, which started on August 14, is now 40% contained. The largest fire, the Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, has burned over 132,000 acres and is 61% contained.¹¹
  • Source: CAL FIRE – https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/

Disclaimer: This information was researched and curated with the assistance of AI but was reviewed and verified by a human.