MIAMI -- Atlantic Ocean beachgoers should be wary of heavy surf and life-threatening rip-currents this week as Hurricane Chris swirls off the U.S. East Coast, say forecasters.

As of 11 p.m. ET Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said Chris was accelerating as it moved toward Newfoundland.

The center of Chris is expected pass over or near extreme southeastern Newfoundland Thursday evening.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, and was located about 345 miles off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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No coastal watches or warnings were in effect.

Chris strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane on Tuesday. It became the second named hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic season, marking the earliest formation of a season's second hurricane since 2005, according to the National Hurricane Center.

#Chris is the 2nd hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic season, after Hurricane #Beryl. This marks the earliest formation of a season's 2nd hurricane since 2005. That year, Cindy and Dennis were both hurricanes by July 7. pic.twitter.com/UZ9Qxsl5tY — NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) July 10, 2018

Forecasters expect Chris to weaken to a strong post-tropical cyclone on Thursday.