Tropical Storm Watch Includes VA, 12-Foot Waves Forecast: Hurricane Erin Update

Updated at 4:50 p.m.

The approach of category 2 Hurricane Erin has prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm watch for north of Duck, North Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia.

The watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Erin is generating high waves and rip currents that are dangerous for anyone going into coastal waters. The rough conditions forced some Maryland beaches to close on Tuesday. Ocean City, Maryland, and Assateague Island beaches are shut down as the ocean is now too dangerous for swimming.

As Hurricane Erin continues up the East Coast, the category two storm is expected to grow in size and create "dangerous" rip currents in Virginia's coastal waters and mammoth waves, according to the National Hurricane Center.

"Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada during the next several days," the NHC said. "Beachgoers in those areas should follow advice from lifeguards, local authorities, and beach warning flags."

The core of Erin's strongest hurricane winds are not expected to affect any part of the U.S. East Coast, according to The Weather Channel's forecast for Tuesday. But the storm is expected to strengthen by mid-week and regain major hurricane status.

"Erin's size, tropical storm force winds are increasingly possible in eastern North Carolina, even though the center will remain well offshore," The Weather Channel says. "These winds could arrive as soon as late Wednesday and continue into Thursday. These winds may down some tree limbs and could knock out power in a few areas."

Erin's large size and winds are generating swells that can reach 50 feet (the height of a five-story building) or more near the center of the storm and spread outward, AccuWeather said.

Swells will reach 5-10 feet near shore along the U.S. Atlantic Coasts; Virginia's coast could see waves of 7 to 12 feet near Virginia Beach, the weather agency said.

Beaches that extend out into the ocean, such as in North Carolina's Outer Banks and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, can experience waves of 15-20 feet. Waves of 10-15 feet are possible in the eastern part of Long Island, New York.

Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. won't feel the full effects of the storm, with only a slight chance of showers on Tuesday before 2 p.m and then again after 5 p.m, according to the National Weather Service. The day will be cloudy with a high near 73 and a 20 percent chance of showers.

• Related: Hurricane Erin To Strengthen, Pose 'Life-Threatening' Risks To VA

On Tuesday night, moderate tidal flooding is possible along the sensitive shorelines of the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, the tidal Potomac River, and the I-95 corridor into Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., according to NWS' hazardous weather outlook.

Here is the latest Northern Virginia forecast from the National Weather Service.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers between 2am and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Northeast wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

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

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82.