Hurricane Sam, located about 900 miles to the east-southeast of the Leeward Islands, inched closer to land on Sunday. The Category 4 storm is moving at 8 mph with 145 winds but has the possibility to get close to the U.S by next weekend.

“If that jet stream dip sets up farther west or meanders westward, then there is room for Sam to get very close to the U.S. next weekend," AccuWeather Meteorologist Berni Rayno said.

But AccuWeather forecasters don't expect the U.S. will see a direct hit from Sam.

Over the past 24 hours, Sam has increased from a Category 1 to a Category 4 hurricane. Forecasters have been keeping an eye on the storm for the past few days.

Hurricane Sam originally did not appear to be much of a threat due to its path, but it has slightly shifted westward and in the direction of the U.S. It was not expected to get past the Caribbean islands.

There is the potential for the storm to bring damage similar to Hurricane Sandy if it gets close enough. The Hurricane Center expects Hurricane Sam to fluctuate in intensity over the next few days but could start to weaken, as well.

For now, heavy rainfall and rising sea levels are expected to come by mid-next week but there is no immediate threat to land.

“Even if Sam remains east of the U.S. late this week through next weekend, seas (could rise) along the Atlantic coast from central Florida to Maine with building surf and increasing rip currents," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said.

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