Here’s the latest on how Hurricane Dorian could affect New England
“Any rainfall that does occur could be a very heavy downpour because of its tropical origin."
The Boston area will feel the effects as Hurricane Dorian moves east of the region offshore Friday night into Saturday, but Cape Cod and the Islands, especially Nantucket, will get the worst of it, according to local forecasters.
The storm was battering the Carolinas Thursday morning, the National Weather Service said. Dorian is anticipated to move about 130 miles east-southeast of Nantucket Friday night into Saturday morning, according to Kim Buttrick, a meteorologist with the service.
“The main impacts will be across southeast New England, the Cape and Islands,” she said. “We do have a Tropical Storm Watch for the Cape and Islands, including the adjacent waters.”
The Cape and Islands could see wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph and rainfall totaling between 1 and 4 inches, according to Buttrick. Coastal flooding could also happen between 6 and 10 a.m. Saturday, particularly on Nantucket and the Cape’s east-facing beaches. Seas could build to between 15 and 20 feet, which could make for “rough surf” at the state’s east- and south-facing beaches, particularly in Provincetown and on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
The winds could lead to “scattered power outages,” according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Nantucket Harbor could also see “minor inundation” from the potential storm surge.
[Tropical Storm Watch: Cape Cod/Islands] Hurricane Dorian will pass well east of the region late Fri night into Sat am, but still bring the potential for 40 to 60 mph wind gusts and heavy rainfall to the Cape and Islands where a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued. pic.twitter.com/CBym4p9n3A
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) September 5, 2019
[Expected Wind Gusts Late Fri night/Sat morning] Northerly wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph are possible late Fri night into Sat morning across far southeast New England. This may result in some scattered power outages. Tropical Storm Watches posted Cape Cod and The Islands. pic.twitter.com/WifHPhF2cu
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) September 5, 2019
For Boston, there’s a chance of rain Friday into Saturday, Buttrick said.
“Any rainfall that does occur could be a very heavy downpour because of its tropical origin,” she said.
The city could receive about an inch of rain, and winds could reach between 15 and 20 mph from Friday into Saturday, according to Buttrick. Some wind gusts could reach a higher speed.
Given how far off shore the storm will be, Buttrick said it will likely be more of a concern for fishermen and mariners. She also noted that those potentially heading to the beach on Sunday — temperatures are supposed to be “seasonable” — should watch for rip currents and rough surf, especially since many of these areas don’t have lifeguards after Labor Day.
“Sunday is the pick of the weekend,” meteorologist David Epstein said.
Best chance for rain will be Friday night and early Saturday. As is the case with the wind, Cape Cod/offshore islands will see the most. Not looking for major problems. Sunday is the pick of the weekend. pic.twitter.com/oXBSnrVkYj
— Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) September 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/growingwisdom/status/1169553260505640960
