Ernesto To Bring Rip Currents, High Waves To MD: Latest Forecast

MARYLAND — Beachgoers should keep their eyes on the forecast in the coming days as Hurricane Ernesto is expected to bring strong rip currents and high waves to Maryland shores this weekend. Rainfall is also expected in some parts of the state, according to forecasters.

Ernesto dropped torrential rain on Puerto Rico and knocked out power for nearly half of all customers in the U.S. territory Wednesday as it threatened to strengthen into a major hurricane en route to Bermuda.

As of Thursday morning, the category 1 storm was over open water about 675 miles south-southwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The system was moving northwest at 16 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters said Ernesto is expected to move north through the Atlantic Ocean before turning to the northeast in the coming days.

While Ernesto is expected to stay well offshore, swells generated by the storm are expected to reach Maryland in the coming days, creating dangerous conditions and waves as high as 10 to 14 feet along the beaches of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coast.

"Beachgoers should be aware of a significant risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents, and stay out of the water if advised by lifeguards,” the National Hurricane Center said.

According to the Capital Weather Gang, parts of Maryland could see a rainy weekend following last week's lashing by Hurricane Debby.

"Showers and thunderstorms are likely to scatter across the area both Saturday and Sunday. The bulk of the showers should occur during the afternoon or evening on both days," the Capital Weather Gang said in its Thursday forecast. "Monday brings conditions similar to the weekend before rain chances fade on Tuesday."

Here's a look at the detailed NWS forecast through this weekend:

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.