All Earl, all the time
Posted by Pete Bouchard
The board is set, the pieces are moving.
- Gandalf
As we wait for Earl to come to Southern New England this evening, I think that quote is apropos.
1) The worst part of the storm will be between 9pm-2am on Friday night. Six hours of frenzied wind and rain - mostly along the Cape and Islands. Winds will increase FROM the northeast in that timeframe, and essentially stay from that direction until the storm pulls away.
2) Power outages are likely on the Cape/Islands.
3) Loosely secured boats may be tossed from their moorings on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
4) Possible downed trees/limbs from Cape Cod to the Islands.
5) Between 1 - 5 inches of rain may fall - most of it (3-5") in southeast Massachusetts.
6) If you live far away from the coast (essentially anywhere north and west of Boston) get ready for a plain-ol' run-of-the-mill weak/mild nor'easter....that's it. The effects of this storm will be mostly felt along the coast and down through the Cape/Islands. So don't fire me an email on Saturday night and tell me I blew it and ask why you didn't get any heavy rain and downed trees and power lines. I'll just cut and paste this blog in the return email.
What to expect
While earlier in the week we were thinking of a possible landfall on Cape Cod - and as recently as last night a landfall on Nantucket - there is also the possibility that he may move FARTHER OFFSHORE. Indeed, late last night, Earl made a move that may position him farther offshore. We're watching to see if this trend continues through the morning, and if it does, the forecast will take on a milder tone.
Ocean swells from Earl are here! Waves will be most intense through Saturday. Beach erosion is imminent and severe. Total realignment of the sand is possible (including the expansion and formation of sand bars) on some of your favorite beaches. Although it's a great weekend to gawk at the waves, BE CAREFUL if you venture into the water. Rip currents will be strong and numerous all through Labor Day weekend.
Saving grace (if there is one) is that the storm will rocket out of here. Sun's out by Saturday morning, and the weekend looks great.
Last time we had a near-landfalling hurricane was Edouard in 1996. Last time we had a directly landfalling hurricane was Bob in 1991. Last time we had a landfalling tropical storm was in 2006 with Beryl.
"We are the Storm Station," as our annoucer Scott Chapin says. We'll be here every step of the way. On TV, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs...
...see you there.
Pete
Glancing Shot
Posted by Pete Bouchard
First look at the radar this afternoon, and my heart almost skipped a beat.
Big batch of steady - and even moderate - snow was spreading across PA. No, it wasn't a surprise, we had expected this area to be hit with snow today. It's just that after 4 seasons of big snows here in New England, seeing that gave me flashbacks to previous years when the storms would sweep in from the Keystone State and hammer us with snow.
Oh, Hi February
Posted by Dylan Dreyer
February is back with highs today in the mid to upper 30s. We'll see sunny skies this morning, then clouds this afternoon. There's a weak storm passing to our south overnight, but it could be just close enough to give the south coast a couple flurries and sprinkles. Then we'll go back to sunshine Thursday. Just as soon as it gets cold, it gets mild again. Thursday and Friday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 40s.
Just Plugging Along
Posted by Pete Bouchard
It's times like these where we stop and take stock in where we've been this "winter".
Peanut Butter
Posted by Dylan Dreyer
My go-to tunes at 3:30am driving into work are on 50s on 5. Something so simple and pleasant about the music helps to slowly wake me up in the morning. The one song I listened to this morning made me smile. It goes along with the simple weather pattern we've been in too.