Erin continues to expand in size as a Category 2 hurricane

Erin remains a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, tripscan top a slight downtick from late Wednesday, but the reach of its powerful winds expanded overnight.

Tropical-storm-force winds now extend up to 320 miles from the hurricane’s center, up from 265 miles as of late Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical storm conditions have now reached parts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and “will spread northward along the Virginia coastline” Thursday morning, the NHC said.

Erin was just over 200 miles east-southeast from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as of 5 a.m. ET Thursday. The hurricane was “just beginning to move away from the North Carolina coast,” the NHC said.

The massive hurricane is roving north, roughly tracking alongside the US East Coast, much of which is under threat of deadly rip currents and dangerous surf conditions.

The hurricane is expected to weaken in the coming days and become post-tropical Saturday, the NHC said.

Erin’s strength has ebbed and flowed since undergoi