— The forecast track of Hurricane Maria shifted slightly west early Saturday morning, bringing a small sliver of North Carolina's coast into the cone of uncertainty.

The Category 3 storm is weakening as it moves north into waters cooled by Tropical Storm Jose, but Maria still threatens to bring heavy surf and strong rip currents to beaches along the East Coast.

"It does look like we are going to have some impacts along our coastline," said WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth.

Wilmoth said that a tropical storm watch or hurricane watch could be issued by the National Hurricane Center for parts of the North Carolina coast as early as Sunday, but most effects from the storm would be felt around mid-week.

If Maria remains on the current track, coastal areas could see tropical storm force winds late Tuesday night into Wednesday and parts of the Outer Banks would see coastal flooding and beach erosion. Eight to 10 foot waves would also be possible along the coast as a result of Maria.

Strong rip currents & high surf expected on Sunday at all area beaches. Heed the advice of lifeguards! https://t.co/3FiDtEESQH #ncwx #scwx pic.twitter.com/gN4ihlRqhI — NWS Wilmington NC (@NWSWilmingtonNC) September 24, 2017

A new front moving in after Thursday, though, could kick Maria quickly out to sea, minimizing any impacts.

"How fast that arrives will depend on where [Maria] is going to go," Wilmoth said. "That is what is going to push Maria offshore."