Current Weather, Tropical Weather, and Wildfire Updates – August 14, 2025

Tropical Weather

• Tropical Storm Erin Intensifying in the Atlantic: Tropical Storm Erin has moved into an area of warmer water and is expected to strengthen.¹ Forecasters predict it could become a hurricane by Friday and possibly a Category 3 major hurricane by late Saturday.² While long-range models suggest it will turn safely east of the broader U.S. next week, officials in the northern Caribbean are warning of heavy rains and dangerous swells as the storm approaches.³
  • Source: Caribbean officials warn of heavy rains and big waves as Tropical Storm Erin nears
  • Source: Tropical Storm Erin strengthening, expected to become the season’s first hurricane
• Tropical Disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance, Invest 98L, in the Gulf of Mexico.⁴ Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to investigate the system as it heads towards Texas, with the potential to bring heavy rain to the region.⁵
  • Source: Hurricane Hunters to investigate Invest 98L as Gulf tropical disturbance eyes Texas

U.S. Weather

• Severe Weather and Flooding:
  • Heavy rain and flash flooding are possible today and tonight along the Mid-Atlantic/Carolina coast.
  • Severe thunderstorms are forecast for the Northern Plains.⁶
  • Historic flooding in eastern Tennessee has resulted in four deaths, and Chattanooga is still facing a continued rain threat.⁷
  • Source: National Weather Service
  • Source: 4 killed by historic flooding in east Tennessee as Chattanooga faces continued rain threat
• Heat and Fire Weather:
  • Critical fire weather conditions are present in the western U.S. with a Red Flag Warning issued.
  • Temperatures are well above normal in the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, and Desert Southwest, with some areas of the desert southwest seeing highs between 110 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.⁸
  • Source: National Weather Service
  • Source: Weather Prediction Center (WPC) Home Page – NOAA

Wildfire News

• Active Wildfires Across the Country:
  • The National Interagency Coordination Center is tracking 29 large fires across the country, with over 465,000 acres burned.⁹
  • California has five large active fires, including the Gifford Fire (130,440 acres, 41% contained) and the Canyon Fire (5,370 acres, 97% contained).
  • Source: National Fire News | National Interagency Fire Center
  • Source: CAL FIRE – CA.gov

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