Miami ? Tropical Storm Florence held its strength in the open Atlantic Thursday, still far from the U.S. but large enough that forecasters warned it could create high surf and rip currents along the East Coast within the next five days.

The storm’s forecast path puts it over the Bermuda area Monday or Tuesday, forecasters said.

Florence had maximum sustained winds near 50 mph Thursday and tropical storm force winds extending up to 405 miles from its center.

Its sustained winds were expected to strengthen today and pass the 74 mph threshold for a hurricane by the time it nears Bermuda.