Hurricane Erin is expected to peak as it nears the mid-Atlantic ... Banks and whip up life-threatening rip currents from Florida to New England. New York City closed its beaches to swimming on Wednesday and Thursday. Some beaches in New Jersey, Maryland ...

Meteorologists are closely tracking the projected path and forecast of Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year.

The storm is bringing dangerous conditions to parts of the coast on Wednesday, but will then turn away from the United States.

The massive hurricane was picking up speed, traveling north at 14 mph, and its center was located about 295 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of North Carolina and Virginia as the impacts from Erin spread northward.