Only 43 of those storms achieved scale-topping Category 5 strength, representing just over 4 per cent of all hurricanes ever observed in the Atlantic basin.
Even more stunning is the fact that Erin is the Atlantic’s fifth Category 5 storm since 2022, and the basin’s eleventh such storm since 2016.
This is also the fourth-earliest Category 5 hurricane ever observed across the Atlantic, falling behind Beryl (July 2, 2024), Emily (July 16, 2005), and Allen (Aug. 5, 1980).
Rapid intensification is a scary prospect
Erin’s status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale isn’t the storm’s only uncommon trait. The rate at which its winds intensified places it on the upper-end of all Atlantic hurricanes on record.
MUST SEE: Hurricane forecasts are better today than ever before—here’s how
A storm rapidly intensifies when its maximum sustained winds jump 30 knots (about 55 km/h) in 24 hours.
Observations found that Erin’s maximum sustained winds ratcheted up from 120 km/h to 260 km/h in just 24 hours, making it one of the swiftest bouts of rapid intensification ever observed. The system’s relatively compact size likely aided its quick rise. Hurricane force winds only extended 45 km from the eye of the storm for most of the day Saturday.