While Erin is expected to take a northward turn in the Atlantic, a new system off the coast of Africa has the National Hurricane Center's attention.

Erin is the fifth named storm to develop during the Atlantic hurricane season, which started just over two months ago. Last week, Tropical Storm Dexter formed in the western Atlantic but didn't pose a threat to land. In early July, Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the Carolina coast, bringing deadly flooding to the region.

Hurricane Erin remains a Category 4 as life-threatening surf and rip currents are likely across the U.S. eastern seaboard this week, the National Hurricane Center announced.

Hurricane is a major hurricane, turning northwest in the general direction of the U.S. coast. The storm will create high surf, rip currents, and the potential for tropical storm force winds along the Atlantic Seaboard.

Hurricane Erin is forecast to continue growing in size, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 50 miles from its center.

Erin is producing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a central pressure of 940 mb. The storm is moving west‑northwest at 14 mph (22 km/h). Outer rainbands have been producing gusty winds and heavy rainfall across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico since Saturday night.

A westward-moving tropical wave could produce an area of low pressure in the tropical Atlantic late in the week of Aug. 18, the hurricane center said on Aug. 16. The center shows a 20% chance of storm formation over the next week.