Before you prepare to light up the barbeque grill or take a trip to the beach to celebrate the Fourth of July, make sure to check the weather forecast as a looming storm threatens to hit the East Coast, just in time for the holiday weekend.

The first tropical storm of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season has formed and been named Arthur. The storm started off as a tropical depression on Tuesday over Miami and the Bahamas and is projected to strengthen and possibly head up the Atlantic coast as the holiday approaches. Some forecasts even warn that it may reach hurricane force, reports NBC News.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the system could reach minimal hurricane strength by the time it hits North Carolina's the Outer Banks on Thursday night.

National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen predicts that North Carolina's coast will be hit with currents and wind gushes by midday Thursday before the storm beefs up to a Category 1 hurricane on Friday and steers away from land, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Gov. Pat McCrory signed two executive orders, declaring a state of emergency for 25 counties and mobilizing storm-response resources.

"While we all want to enjoy a fun Fourth of July weekend with friends and family, our highest priority should be safety during the storm," McCrory wrote in a news release. "I encourage all of our coastal residents and visitors to take necessary precautions, listen to local media and use good judgment throughout the duration of the storm."

After hitting the Carolinas, forecasters say the system is likely to head northeast, bringing showers to New York City and Boston. Washington will also likely get some rain.

In New York, there's a 60 percent chance of rain on Friday, but the skies will clear up for the rest of the weekends, possibly in time for fireworks Friday evening.

Maryland is also expected to get rain Thursday night into Friday night, with the worst conditions taking place Friday daytime. However, both Saturday and Sunday look great, reports the Washington Post.

Cape Cod may get rain Thursday daytime through Saturday morning. Scattered rain and thunderstorms will start Thursday afternoon, while the worst conditions will be on Friday night. In addition, there will be wind gush from 30-35mph on Friday night into Saturday morning along with possible flooding possible.