Hurricane Erin To Strengthen, Create 'Life-Threatening' Risks In NJ

The Category 4 Hurricane Erin will strengthen and turn northeastward this week, churning up "life-threatening surf and rip currents" along the Jersey Shore, according to the latest forecast.

Despite remaining well offshore, the hurricane is expected to impact New Jersey's beaches by the middle of the week, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center.

"These rough ocean conditions will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip currents," the National Hurricane Center said.

Seas will reach 8 to 10 feet on Wednesday, which will grow to as high as 12 or potentially even 15 feet Thursday, the National Weather Service said. Those will wane into Friday.

"The high seas will result in high surf, dangerous rip currents, beach erosion, and coastal flooding," National Weather Service forecasters said. "Rip Current Statements are already in effect and will remain in effect through at least Thursday."

Beachgoers are urged to be cautious and listen to lifeguards. In the past week, multiple people have had to be rescued from rip currents at the Jersey Shore, with two deaths. Read more: New Details In Teen's Drowning Death At Jersey Shore Beach

Aside from the rough surf, weather conditions this week will generally be "benign" and cool, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Central Jersey

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

South Jersey

Monday: A chance of showers, mainly between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83.