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.

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

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.

Hurricane Erin could 'at least double or triple in size' next week and the track has shifted south, but remains likely to turn away from the East Coast.

Hurricane Erin is currently a Category 4 storm and is expected to strengthen and remain a "dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week," forecasters say. The storm is forecast to create “life-threatening” surf and rip currents along the Atlantic Coast this week.

Tropical Storm #Erin is now less than 1000 miles from the Virgin Islands- looks like it becomes a hurricane by late Friday then could rapidly intensify passing just north of Puerto Rico. High surf & rip currents this weekend in the Leeward Islands. THEN the Bermuda high steering… pic.twitter.com/5SUhfTJ7X4

For now, most reliable computer models that meteorologists use show Erin curving away from the United States, spinning off the East Coast later in August.

According to AccuWeather, Hurricane Erin is expected to strengthen rapidly over the weekend, and could intensify into a major Category 4 storm.