The Storm Formerly Known As Noel

The huge extratropical low that was Hurricane Noel is racing north northeastward this morning. It will bring very high winds to parts of New England later today.

The low is expected to track just east of Nantucket and Cape Cod this evening. Winds will be 35-45 mph by this afternoon on the Cape and Nantucket. Peak gusts of 65-85 mph will occur this afternoon and evening. This will be high enough to cause lots of tree damage as well as structural damage. Extensive power outages are anticipated. High wind warnings are in effect for eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The system will bring heavy rainfall also and flood watches are in effect. 3-5 inches of rain is expected across the Cape and Nantucket with 2-4 inches in Boston.

Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect for coastal Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Coastal flooding and beach erosion will occur.

A storm surge of up to three to five feet is expected with the storm. High tide will occur at about the same time as the closest approach of the storm center. These values will be very close to high enough to produce flooding.

Seas of up to 30 feet will occur in the offshore waters off the Cape and Nantucket.

Observations from the Cape and Islands at 7 a.m. CDT…

FALMOUTH: RAIN/FOG, WIND NE20, PRESSURE 29.99F
HYANNIS: LGT RAIN, WIND NE21G29, PRESSURE 29.99F
CHATHAM: LGT RAIN, WIND NE15G31, PRESSR 30.00F
NANTUCKET: RAIN/FOG, WIND NE25G39, PRSSR 29.92F
MARTHAS VNYRD: LGT RAIN/FOG, WIND N23G32, PRSSR 29.95F

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are faring pretty well, since the storm is further east of them. Wind advisories are in effect for winds of 25-35 mph today with gusts to 45 mph. At Mitchell Field on Cape Hatteras a this hour, winds were gusting to 35 mph from the NNW. The pressure was 29.79,. up from the 29.72 minimum as the storm passed.

Category: Pre-November 2010 Posts