The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two areas in the Atlantic Ocean for potential tropical development behind Hurricane Erin, with the closest area to watch expected to to track near Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

The first area has been under the eyes of the National Hurricane Center for a few days as it emerged off Africa’s west coast.

With thousands of miles of ocean water above the 80-degree Fahrenheit temperature needed to fuel hurricanes, Cape Verde storms are some of the most dangerous that threaten North America. About 85% of all major hurricanes — Category 3 and higher — start out there, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Rough surf conditions and dangerous rip currents have forced many beaches to ban swimming and boogie boarding this week.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A tropical storm formed out in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. While it may result in some rough surf, the storm will not set a course for the U.S., according to AccuWeather.

Forecasters are tracking two tropical disturbances behind Hurricane Erin, but neither shows signs of becoming an immediate threat to land. One system east of the Lesser Antilles has only a medium chance of development,

The Ocean City Beach Patrol has closed the ocean to swimming, wading and surfing Tuesday as tropical storm activity off the coast brings dangerous conditions to the resort town.

A new system has emerged in the eastern tropical Atlantic, heading westward toward the Leeward Islands as Hurricane Erin continues to spin.