A tropical wave that left the west coast of Africa on 13 August 2013 developed into a tropical depression about 60 nautical miles south of Praia, Cape Verde, at 0000 UTC 15 August. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Erin six hours later and moved generally west‑northwestward to the south of the Cape Verde Islands. Convection weakened on 16 August due to dry air, then returned late that day. Erin turned northwestward near 17 August as a mid‑Atlantic ridge weakened, began to suffer wind shear later on the 17th, and degenerated to a remnant low by 0600 UTC 18 August. The remnant low opened into a trough and dissipated by 20 August about 1,100 n mi east of the northern Leeward Islands.
Erin passed south of the southern Cape Verde Islands while it was forming; a tropical storm warning was issued for the southern Cape Verde Islands on 15 August and was discontinued the same day. There were no U.S. or Caribbean landfalls; Erin remained a mid‑Atlantic system and did not make landfall on any populated mainland during its lifetime.
The storm’s peak intensity was estimated at 40 kt (46 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 1006 mb around 0000 UTC 17 August, corresponding to a weak tropical storm (below hurricane strength). The 40‑kt peak is supported by a 38‑kt wind report from the ship British Cygnet at 2200 UTC 16 August.
No storm surge or significant rainfall impacts were reported in the advisories or observations for populated locations. The warning and post‑storm records contain no specific surge heights or notable rainfall totals for cities or counties, and there were no reports of damage from the islands.
There were no confirmed deaths—direct or indirect—and no reports of damage associated with Erin. Forecasters noted that the storm’s genesis was not well anticipated more than about 12–30 hours ahead, though official track and intensity forecasts performed reasonably well at short lead times; several models (notably the UKMET and some simpler advection models) provided good track guidance for this system.
Paid members can generate summaries tailored to the counties of their choice. The Erin TCR covers impacts across many counties and states — a Pinellas County resident doesn't need the Asheville detail, and a Buncombe County resident doesn't need the Tampa surge data.
Upgrade for county-specific summariesSummary above produced from the National Hurricane Center's official post-storm Tropical Cyclone Report. Read the full report for casualty lists, damage estimates by area, forecast critique, and detailed meteorological discussion:
📄 Read NHC's full report on Erin → (opens at nhc.noaa.gov)| Time (UTC) | Status | Lat | Lon | Winds (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-08-15 00:00 | TD | 13.90 | -23.30 | 30 | 1008 | |
| 2013-08-15 06:00 | TS | 14.10 | -24.60 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-15 12:00 | TS | 14.30 | -25.90 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-15 18:00 | TS | 14.70 | -27.20 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-16 00:00 | TS | 15.30 | -28.60 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-16 06:00 | TS | 15.90 | -30.00 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-16 12:00 | TS | 16.50 | -31.40 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-16 18:00 | TS | 17.30 | -32.70 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-17 00:00 | TS | 18.00 | -33.80 | 40 | 1006 | |
| 2013-08-17 06:00 | TS | 18.80 | -34.70 | 40 | 1006 | |
| 2013-08-17 12:00 | TS | 19.60 | -35.50 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-17 18:00 | TS | 20.30 | -36.20 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-18 00:00 | TS | 20.60 | -37.20 | 35 | 1007 | |
| 2013-08-18 06:00 | LO | 20.60 | -38.00 | 30 | 1008 | |
| 2013-08-18 12:00 | LO | 20.50 | -38.80 | 30 | 1008 | |
| 2013-08-18 18:00 | LO | 20.40 | -39.60 | 25 | 1009 | |
| 2013-08-19 00:00 | LO | 20.30 | -40.40 | 25 | 1009 | |
| 2013-08-19 06:00 | LO | 20.20 | -41.20 | 25 | 1009 | |
| 2013-08-19 12:00 | LO | 20.10 | -42.00 | 20 | 1010 | |
| 2013-08-19 18:00 | LO | 20.00 | -42.80 | 20 | 1010 |
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 best-track database (nhc.noaa.gov/data). Data is in the public domain. Best-track positions and intensities are post-storm reanalysis estimates and may differ from real-time advisories.