Hurricane Erin is expected to steer clear of the U.S. East Coast, but its massive impacts could include rip currents on American beaches.

Hurricane Erin is forecast to remain well offshore but still bring hazardous currents and possible erosion like previous offshore hurricanes before it.

Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph as its outer bands pounded the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with gusty winds and heavy rains early Sunday.

Powerful Hurricane Erin has undergone a period of astonishingly rapid intensification — a phenomenon that has become far more common in recent years as the planet warms. It was a rare Category 5 for a time Saturday before becoming a Category 4,

Hurricane Erin briefly strengthened into a Category 5 storm. It is not expected to make a direct hit on the U.S. but will create dangerous surf.

Hurricane Erin's winds decreased to 125 mph early Sunday morning, Aug. 17. Erin is still a major Category 3 hurricane and growing in size.

Hurricane Erin is currently not forecast to hit land, but strong winds are affecting nearby islands, prompting forecasters to warn of possible flooding and landslides.

Spaghetti models predict Erin will skirt the U.S. East Coast by hundreds of miles as it moves north through next week.

While the most likely track keeps Erin offshore from the U.S. East Coast, shifts in the storm’s path could bring strong winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding to parts of the eastern United States and Bermuda.