Miami ? Forecasters have issued a tropical storm watch for the North Carolina coast ahead of Tropical Storm Danny.

Forecasters say large swells are expected to produce dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents along the U.S. East Coast over the next day or two.

The watch is in effect from Cape Lookout north to Duck, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

Danny is centered about 485 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and moving north at 8 mph. Tropical Storm force winds extend out more than 200 miles.

Danny’s maximum sustained winds decreased Thursday evening to near 45 mph but strengthening is possible over the next few days.