Tropical Storm Danny headed toward US East Coast

[August 28, 2009]  MIAMI (AP) -- Forecasters say Tropical Storm Danny has weakened over the Atlantic and is barely a tropical storm.

But a tropical storm watch for the North Carolina coast remains in effect early Friday. Large swells from Danny are expected to produce dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents along the U.S. East Coast over the next day or two.

Danny's maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 40 mph (65 kph).

The storm is centered about 400 miles (640 kilometers) south of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and moving north-northwest near 9 mph (15 kph). A turn to the north with an increase in speed is expected later in the day.

[Associated Press]

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