Satellite view of Tropical Storm Jerry 6 a.m. Oct. 9, 2025.

Tropical Strom Jerry continues to spin in the Atlantic Ocean, with forecasters predicting further strengthening that could see the storm become a hurricane in the next couple of days.

The National Hurricane Center said in an Oct. 9 advisory Jerry is located about 355 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph with higher gusts. Forecasters said "gradual strengthening" is expected during the next few days, with Jerry possibly becoming a hurricane by late Friday, Oct. 10 or Saturday, Oct. 11.

The hurricane center said Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest, with a turn toward the northwest expected later on Thursday, Oct. 9, followed by a slightly northward motion on Friday and Saturday. The storm is forecast to pass near or to the northeast of the northern Leeward Islands later today and tonight.

Through Friday, Oct. 10, 2 to 4 inches of rain with local storm total maximums of 6 inches are expected across the Leeward and Virgin Islands, bringing a risk of flash flooding, the hurricane center said in the advisory.

Additionally, swells generated by Jerry are beginning to reach the Leeward and Windward Islands and are expected to spread westward toward the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Thursday night, Oct. 9, then toward the rest of the Greater Antilles over the next couple of days. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Tropical Storm Jerry tracker

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Tropical Storm Jerry spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.

  • Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
  • Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
  • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance don’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
  • Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass. Seal outside wall openings.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Jerry could soon become a hurricane. See where it's headed.

Reporting by Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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