Small Craft Advisories Along East Coast

MIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Tropical Storm Julia spinning in the Atlantic (all times local):

8:30 a.m.

The National Weather Service has posted small craft advisories along the Atlantic coast from near Charleston, South Carolina to the Maryland-Delaware border as Tropical Storm Julia continues to spin offshore.

Forecasters also are warning of the danger of rip currents in some areas of Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina through Friday evening. Seas near the shore are expected to be 5 feet or greater because of swells from the storm posing a hazard to small boats.

At 5 a.m. Friday, the center of the storm was about 240 miles (386 kilometers) east-southeast of Charleston south-southeast of Charleston. Julia had sustained winds of 40 mph (64 kph).

Forecasters say the storm is expected to dissipate early next week after meandering off the coast during the weekend.

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5:00 a.m.

Tropical Storm Julia is maintaining its strength off the coast of the Carolinas but is expected to gradually start weakening.

The storm's maximum sustained winds Friday morning are near 40 mph (64 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says little change in strength is expected Friday but gradual weakening is expected after that.

Julia is centered about 240 miles (386 kilometers) east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.

Meanwhile in the eastern Atlantic, Tropical Storm Karl is moving west with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (72 kph). Little change in strength is expected over the next two days. Karl is centered about 640 miles (1,030 kilometers) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ian is moving northeast in the north Atlantic but poses no threat to land.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]