Fact Check: "Erick intensified from Category 3 to Category 4 in less than a day."
What We Know
Hurricane Erick was a significant tropical cyclone that impacted southern Mexico in June 2025. It was noted for its rapid intensification, particularly in the days leading up to its landfall. According to the National Hurricane Center, Erick developed into a tropical storm on June 17, 2025, and intensified into a hurricane by June 18. By early June 19, it reached its peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) before making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph (200 km/h) later that same day (June 19) (Wikipedia).
The timeline indicates that Erick transitioned from a Category 2 hurricane to a Category 4 hurricane within a span of hours on June 19. Specifically, it was upgraded to a major hurricane (Category 3) shortly before reaching Category 4 status, which confirms that the intensification occurred rapidly within the same day (Newsweek, CBS News).
Analysis
The claim that "Erick intensified from Category 3 to Category 4 in less than a day" is supported by multiple reliable sources. The Wikipedia article details the timeline of Erick's development, noting that it was classified as a Category 2 hurricane early on June 19 and then rapidly intensified to Category 4 by 05:30 UTC the same day. This rapid intensification is corroborated by the National Hurricane Center, which provides official data on hurricane classifications and intensification rates.
The sources used are credible, with the National Hurricane Center being a primary authority on tropical cyclones and hurricanes in the United States. The information from news outlets like NPR and CBS News also aligns with the official reports, providing additional context and confirmation of the storm's behavior (NPR, CBS News).
However, it is important to clarify that while the transition from Category 3 to Category 4 occurred on the same day, the claim could be interpreted as slightly misleading if one assumes it implies a continuous progression from Category 3 to Category 4 without acknowledging the brief period it spent as a Category 2 hurricane earlier that day.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that "Erick intensified from Category 3 to Category 4 in less than a day" is accurate based on the documented timeline of Hurricane Erick's intensification. The transition occurred rapidly on June 19, 2025, confirming the rapid nature of the storm's development.
Sources
- Hurricane Erick (2025) - Wikipedia
- PDF EP062019 Erick 2021 - National Hurricane Center
- Hurricane Erick weakens after landfall in southern Mexico as a ... - NPR
- Hurricane Erick timeline as "life-threatening" storm nears landfall - Newsweek
- Hurricane Erick makes landfall in Mexico as Category 3 - CBS News
