MD Beachgoers Warned Of Rip Currents As Tropical Storm Erin Strengthens

Ocean City authorities are warning Maryland beachgoers about dangerous rip currents as Tropical Storm Erin, which is forecast to become a major hurricane soon, continues to move closer to the United States.

In a Tuesday interview with WJZ, the Ocean City Beach Patrol said that ocean conditions are becoming rough along the Maryland coast.

"Today, the waves have calmed down again. It's looking nice, but we're really concerned because what will happen is we get those tropical waves coming in, and it's sunny," said Butch Arbin, the captain of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

He continued, "(On) Saturday, it's supposed to be a beautiful day down here, but if we get some wave action, that's the formula for strong rip currents. And people look at the ocean, and it looks inviting, but they don't really know how dangerous it is."

• RELATED: How To Spot Dangerous Rip Currents Off MD's Coast

Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to become a major hurricane before and while passing just to the north of the Leeward Islands in the northeastern Caribbean late this week and this weekend, according to the latest AccuWeather forecast.

How quickly Erin turns to the north will determine how close the storm will move to the United States.

"Interests along the East Coast of the United States, the Bahamas and in Bermuda should monitor the progress of Erin, as a shift in the track could bring direct impacts to these areas," AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said.

According to AccuWeather, Erin's most likely track will be a few hundred miles off the U.S. coast.

However, forecasters said it's possible that a high-pressure system paired with a cold front and a dip in the jet stream over the eastern United States could push Erin significantly farther to the west.

If that happens, areas of the East Coast that extend into the ocean could see a greater risk of strong winds, rain and coastal flooding.

Even if a direct hit does not occur in the United States, dangerous seas, rough surf conditions and rip currents will pose serious threats to Maryland's coastal areas.

“Families heading to U.S. Atlantic beaches for a late-summer vacation next week need to be extremely cautious when venturing into the surf," DaSilva warned. "More than 50 people have lost their lives to rip currents and rough surf at beaches across the country so far this year, without any major hurricane nearby.”

The Atlantic hurricane season is ramping up for the year. According to AccuWeather, the average date for the first hurricane is Aug. 11. Two other systems are currently forming in the Atlantic, though they aren't expected to intensify.

As tropical activity heats up this month, AccuWeather hurricane experts last week predicted that three to five named storms could form in the remaining three weeks of August.

• RELATED: As Many As 5 Tropical Storms Forecast In August, Update Says

With wave activity increasing off the coast of Africa, Atlantic Ocean conditions are more conducive for tropical development, meteorologists said.

Meanwhile, the updated National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration outlook says “atmospheric and oceanic conditions continue to favor an above-normal season,” which is in line with its prediction first issued in May.

NOAA forecasters now expect 13 to 18 named storms this season, of which five to nine storms could become hurricanes and two to five of those could be major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher, which pack sustained winds between 111 and 129 mph.

August is historically the most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season, experts said, with peak activity around Sept. 10 before storms dwindle in October.

RELATED:

• Updated Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released By CSU Experts
• Hurricane Season Ramps Up In The Atlantic: What To Know In MD