MIAMI (AP) — A stronger and bigger Hurricane Erin pelted parts of the Caribbean and was forecast to create dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast this week.

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