Meteorologists are closely tracking the projected path and forecast of Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year.

Despite Hurricane Erin’s offshore path, parts of the U.S. east coast face life-threatening surf and rip currents. Meanwhile, forecasters are watching two new systems for potential formation

Erin’s sustained winds increased to 70 mph, just 4 mph shy of hurricane strength. The hurricane center said Erin should continue to strengthen through the weekend, when it should be moving near or north of the Leeward Islands, according to the official forecast path.