Erin is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year, and meteorologists are closely tracking its path and forecast.

A new system has emerged in the eastern tropical Atlantic, heading westward toward the Leeward Islands as Hurricane Erin continues to spin.

Erin is not forecast to hit the U.S. directly, but coastal areas along the Eastern Seaboard will feel its effects with dangerous high waves and rip currents over the next several days. "These rough ocean conditions will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip currents," the National Hurricane Center warned.

"Erin will be a large and powerful hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean this weekend," the National Hurricane Center said.

Mighty Hurricane Erin will track just east of the United States this week. Even if the center of the hurricane remains offshore, far-reaching and dangerous impacts will be felt at the Atlantic coasts.

Hurricane Erin is expected to remain offshore—but its effects could still reach parts of the New York coastline this week. See the tracker.

Hurricane Erin continues to churn in the Atlantic Ocean as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, the NHC said, noting that it is expected to get faster and stronger. FOX 35 meteorologist Brooks Garner had the latest update on Hurricane Erin's path,

Flooding, rip current and small craft weather alerts were issued by the NWS for South Jersey as result of Hurricane Erin.