Hurricane Katia loses some punch

• Katia is a Category 2 hurricane and is expected to strengthen
• Large swells are expected to affect the U.S. East Coast
• CNN meteorologist: Projections indicate Katia will largely skirt the United States

Miami (CNN) -- Hurricane Katia lost some strength early Monday but still packed 100-mph winds as it churned up the Atlantic Ocean toward the United States.

As of 5 a.m. ET, Katia was about 400 miles north of the Northern Leeward Islands and about 605 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center located here. It was moving northwest at about 12 mph.

"Large swells generated by Katia are expected to affect most of the East Coast of the United States, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles and east-facing beaches of the Bahamas during the next few days," the Hurricane Center said Monday morning. "These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."

Forecasters expect the Category 2 hurricane to strengthen and become a major hurricane by Tuesday.

Hurricane-force winds of at least 74 mph extended 45 miles out from the storm's center. Katia's tropical-storm-force winds -- blowing consistently at between 39 and 73 mph -- could be felt up to 185 miles out.

CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras said most computer models show Katia largely skirting the eastern United States as it eventually moves northward.

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