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Hurricane Jose's center seen staying off U.S. East Coast: NHC

Reuters•September 16, 2017

Atlantic Ocean (---), 14/09/2017.- A handout photo made available by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 16 September 2017 shows an image acquired by the Suomi NPP satellite's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument of Hurricane Jose (R) in the Atlantic Ocean, 14 September 2017. Jose strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane on 15 September 2017, and is moving toward the northwest near 15kph. According to NOAA, swells generated by Jose are affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, the northern coasts of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and the southeast coast of the USA, and will spread northward along the Mid-Atlantic coast of the US during the next few days. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, NOAA added. (Bermudas, Estados Unidos) EFE/EPA/NOAA/NASA HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

(Reuters) - Hurricane Jose's center is forecast to pass well east of the North Carolina coast on Monday and to remain offshore from Virginia to New England, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Saturday.

"However, an increase in the size of the storm or a westward adjustment in the track forecast could bring tropical storm conditions closer to the Outer Banks" off North Carolina, the forecaster said.

As a large cyclone, Jose could also affect the Virginia-to-New-England area, especially if it deviates from its forecast track, the NHC said.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), the NHC said the storm was generating swells affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, the

northern coasts of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and much of the U.S. East Coast.

It was moving northwest at 9 miles (14.5 km) per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour.

(This story corrects spelling of North Carolina in first paragraph.)

(Writing by Lisa Von Ahn, Editing by Franklin Paul)