Tropical Storm Erin In Atlantic: VA Beaches To Feel Effects

VIRGINIA — Tropical Storm Erin will move well off the Virginia coast today, and the National Weather Service says the storm that carries 40- to 60-mph winds will have some effects that could affect your beach plans. The National Weather Service says Erin will be strong enough to cause strong rip currents, prompting the agency to post a beach hazards statement in effect through Wednesday evening.

Those rip currents could start as early as Wednesday afternoon. They're expected to last through Thursday and could continue into the weekend if Tropical Storm Dorian also decides to take a turn toward the North, the NWS says.

"Newly formed Tropical Storm Erin will remain well off the East Coast as it tracks north and northeast through Friday. No impacts are expected locally other than elevated seas and enhanced rip currents along the coast," the National Weather Service office in Wakefield said Wednesday morning.

Closer to home, Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia may see scattered thunderstorms capable of producing strong winds late Wednesday afternoon and early this evening.

Tropical storm-force winds are expected off the Virginia coast throughout Wednesday, the NWS said, but the storm will push north and be off the Massachusetts coast by Thursday. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

The beach hazards statement applies to beaches in Maryland, Virginia and the Outer Banks. Breaking waves of 3 to 5 feet will result in rough surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents.

A Beach Hazards Statement is issued when threats such as rip currents, longshore currents, sneaker waves and other hazards create life-threatening conditions in the surf zone. Caution
should be used when in or near the water, the weather service said.

Here are Erin's potential impacted areas:

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and signs.

If you become caught in a rip current you should relax and float, the NWS says. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

SEE ALSO: Dorian Could Hit FL As Cat 2 Hurricane; Closes In On Puerto Rico

Here's the latest forecast:

Wednesday: Isolated showers, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 9 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 63. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Labor Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.