The Ocean City Beach Patrol has closed the ocean to swimming, wading and surfing Tuesday as tropical storm activity off the coast brings dangerous conditions to the resort town.

Maryland will see cloudy, cool and showery weather Tuesday as Hurricane Erin brings dangerous rip currents for the rest of the week.

Beaches on Assateague Island have been closed due to eroded shoreline posing a threat to visitors. Restrictions have been imposed on overlanding vehicle areas on both the Maryland and Virginia sides to ensure public safety.

Hurricane Erin continues to rapidly intensify in the Atlantic Ocean with its outer bands starting to impact the northern Leeward Islands.

Hurricane Erin went through explosive strengthening as expected over the weekend as it skirts along the Caribbean. Luckily, Erin will miss the East Coast as it gets steered eastward by a cold front and stays in the Atlantic.

Due to the approach of Hurricane Erin, the following closures are in effect on Assateague Island-effective immediately: The Oversand Vehicle Areas (both in Maryland and Virginia) are closed until further notice due to flooding and beach erosion.

Cloudy, cooler weather expected for Maryland through Wednesday; Erin will create hazardous beach conditions by mid-week.

After a hot Sunday, Hurricane Erin will bring swells, dangerous rip currents and windy weather to Maryland’s coastline later this week.