Here is the latest update on the coastal storm for Wednesday into Thursday. Forecast confidence on the storm track continues to be below normal, and the affects of Sandy will result in increased impacts from this storm. A number of watche
s, warnings and advisories have been issued as of 5 pm Tuesday as indicated on the graphic.
- The current forecast is for the storm to be strong enough and track close enough to the coast to cause strong winds, especially near the coast. These winds could blow down trees and limbs weakened from Sandy, resulting in additional power outages.
- The combination of storm surge and wave action could still cause minor to locally moderate coastal flooding and additional beach erosion along the mid-Atlantic and New England coast. Fortunately we are between the full and new moon so normal astronomical tide levels will be lower than usual. There is some uncertainty regarding how the dune erosion and new inlets caused by Sandy might affect the degree of flooding from this storm. The threat for coastal flooding will be primarily during the high tides Wed afternoon/evening and late Wed night/Thu morning.
- Wet snow, occasionally mixed with sleet, freezing rain and rain is expected from northern Maryland north through interior New Jersey, southeastern New York into central New England including parts of Maine. A couple of inches of accumulation is possible, especially at higher elevations. Since the ground is still warm, accumulation on colder and elevated surfaces such as tree limbs may be greater, presenting an addition hazard for trees and power lines.
We are glad to report that our web pages have returned to normal. Additional details such as specific storm surge and snowfall forecasts can be found on local NWS office web and facebook pages including:
US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly US National Weather Service New York NY US National Weather Service Boston MA US National Weather Service Gray ME US National Weather Service Caribou ME