Rating Hurricanes: The Saffir-Simpson Scale

Tropical Storm Maria is a large storm that will have some impacts along the U.S. East Coast despite its offshore track.

(Full Coverage of Maria: Hurricane Central | Comprehensive Forecast)

Below are three things you need to know about Tropical Storm Maria's East Coast brush this week:

1. Tropical Storm Winds Will Begin to Wane on Wednesday

Despite weakening and remaining over 100 miles offshore at its closest approach, Maria is a large tropical storm, making tropical-storm-force winds likely to brush at least eastern North Carolina through Wednesday evening.

These tropical-storm-force winds are capable of some damage to trees and tree limbs, as well as scattered power outages.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for parts of eastern North Carolina, including much of the Outer Banks.

These winds will depart the coast late Wednesday. 

(FORECAST: Wilmington, North Carolina | Hatteras, North Carolina | Virginia Beach | Ocean City, Maryland)

2. Coastal Flooding, Storm Surge Peak Wednesday

Ahead of Maria's closest approach, minor to moderate coastal flooding will only increase, particularly around times of high tide into Thursday, not just in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but also in areas adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound.

The peak water levels are expected during the Wednesday early-afternoon high tide, with water levels slowly subsiding during Thursday's high tides as Maria's center pulls away to the east.

Battering waves riding atop the surge are likely to produce beach erosion, may wash out roads in vulnerable low-lying spots and could lead to damage to docks or buildings along the immediate shore.

Maria is expected to move slowly through midweek, which will prolong and possibly enhance the impacts to eastern North Carolina.

3. Rip Currents, High Surf Along Much of the East Coast Through Thursday

High surf began this weekend along the Southeast coast, as well as in Bermuda, and has spread north as far as northern New England.

Coastal flooding and beach erosion at high tide are also expected as far south as along some parts of Florida's Atlantic beaches.

According to the National Weather Service, over 25 rip-current rescues were performed at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, Saturday.

Similar to last week with Jose, those heading to East Coast beaches this week should be very cautious, and in many cases, should not enter the water. Boaters need to be prepared for rough surf conditions.

The high surf will remain in place from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to northern New England through Thursday, before slackening off as Maria departs into the north Atlantic Ocean Friday.