Forecasters expected the main core of the Category 4 hurricane to stay offshore as Earl moved parallel to the coast during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend that traditionally marks the end of summer.

 

A hurricane watch was issued for most of the North Carolina coastline as officials warned any westward deviation from the forecast track could prompt coastal evacuations or even bring the storm ashore.

 

"A small error of 100 miles in the wrong direction could be a huge impact difference," National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read told a conference call with journalists.

 

"Even a minor shift back to the west could bring impacts to portions of the coastline from the mid-Atlantic northwards."