Erin has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season with strong waves and rip currents possible along the East Coast of the United States as early as next week.

Life-threatening storm surges and rip currents are forecast for much of the U.S. East Coast as Hurricane Erin takes a path just offshore. Here’s the latest tracking map.

The Tropical Storm Watch is extended northward along the U.S. Atlantic coast, and now stretches from Duck to Chincoteague. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect south of Duck, to Beaufort Inlet, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

After rapidly intensifying into a Category 5 storm on Saturday, Hurricane Erin has since been downgraded to a Category 4 system with sustained winds of 130 mph. However, it is expected to intensify and grow in size over the next few days.

Although the storm is expected to stay offshore, it will produce dangerous surf conditions for much of the Atlantic Coast this week, forecasters say.

Rip currents are the third leading cause of deaths from hurricanes, and they can happen on a sunny day hundreds of miles from the storm.

Hurricane Erin is affecting parts of the East Coast, including beach towns such as Ocean City, Md., and more. Here's a look at this week's weather.

Much of today is probably partly sunny and dry, but an isolated shower or storm is possible. Friday and Saturday look delightful!