Hurricane Maria is currently a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80mph. Maria has weakened significantly as it has encountered the cooler waters off the east coast. Maria was once a Category 5 hurricane as it moved through the Caribbean, devastating Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Right now, it appears that Maria will not make direct landfall on the east coast, but it will come close enough to cause a number a issues, especially to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Currently there is a Tropical Storm Warning for the coast of North Carolina. Winds of 30-40mph with gusts up to 55mph can be expected tomorrow morning through Wednesday afternoon. Also, life threatening storm surge of 2-4 feet could be expected, along with some beach erosion, dangerous rip currents, and high surf.
By midday Wednesday, Maria will take a sharp right turn back out to sea as a large trough of low pressure pushes it east. After this happens, Maria will no longer be a threat to the US.
