Hurricane Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of the year, is expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the U.S. eastern coastline, with the Outer Banks region of North Carolina

Forecasters are confident it will curl north and away from the eastern U.S., but tropical storm and surge watches were issued for much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Hurricane Erin is forcing evacuations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks as it churns in the Atlantic where high winds and heavy rain are pelting the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the Bahamas.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two disturbances in the Atlantic. A third, Tropical Storm Dexter, the fourth named storm of the season, continues to move out to sea. Why it matters: August is usually when hurricane season ramps up,

National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, an area of low pressure was expected to form along a frontal system off of the southeastern coast of the United States. Additional slow development could occur through early next week.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Storm Dexter, Invest 96L and system off the southeastern coast of the United States.

Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies. Hurricane Erick, a Pacific storm that made landfall June 19 in Oaxaca, Mexico, also strengthened rapidly, doubling in intensity in less than a day.

As Saturday’s first light shone over powerful Erin, a clear and compact eye was discernible. This feature is the lowest point of

Powerful Hurricane Erin to bring high seas, big waves, rip currents and rough surf as it moves between the United States and Bermuda.