Offshore Nor’easter Unleashes Dangerous Marine and Coastal Conditions – Fred Pickhardt
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A potent atmospheric duo—combining a strong high-pressure system parked over the eastern United States and southeastern Canada with a developing offshore nor’easter is generating hazardous weather stretching from New England down through eastern Florida. Gale Warnings and Storm Warnings are in effect for offshore and coastal waters. Gale Warnings & Coastal HazardsA tight pressure gradient between the mainland high pressure and the offshore low-pressure system is driving northeast to north winds to 35-45 knots, with higher gusts offshore and 20-30 knots near the coast. As a result, Gale Warnings remain in effect for significant portions of the Mid-Atlantic and North Carolina coastal zones through at least Wednesday.
Coastal Hazards:There is a high risk for dangerous rip currents from the Carolinas all the way down through parts of eastern Florida. Rough surf conditions, beach erosion, and coastal flooding are an ongoing concern. Current StatusThe center of the low pressure is located near 36N 70W (roughly 300 miles east of the North Carolina Outer Banks) with a central pressure of 1001 MB and is drifting slowly north to northeast. Within 180 nautical miles (NM) of the west and northwest of the center, winds are 35 to 45 knots with higher gusts. Elsewhere west of a line spanning 31N 71W to 33N 66W to 43N 60W, sustained winds are 25 to 40 knots. Significant wave heights are 4 to 7 meters (13 to 23 feet) are occurring west of the center.
Current Wave Heights 13-23 feet offshore18-24 Hour ForecastThe low is expected to deepen to 997 MB within 12 hours with winds increasing to 40 to 55 knots within the northwest semicircle and significant wave heights will build to 5.5 to 8 meters (18 to 26 feet).
Longer-TermThe low center will move northeast, however, it will remain over warm sea surface temperatures and there is a 40% chance that the system could transition into a sub-tropical storm.
Forensic Marine Weather Expert NOAA National Hurricane Center NOAA US Coastal Waters Forecasts
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