Don't Look Now

Thursday May 8, 2008 06:40 AM

Late season nor'easter late this week.

Thursday Update: A look at the Water Vapor Image and National Radar Mosaic shows our Friday nor'easter taking shape over the Ohio and Tennessee River Valleys Thursday. This system will continue to organize and head eastward over the next 24 hours, pushing into our area during the day on Friday and lasting through Friday Night.

The worst of the weather should be during the 12 hour stretch from Friday evening to Saturday morning. During that period, waves of heavy rain are likely around the area, resulting in 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain (perhaps a bit higher if the heaviest axis of rainfall aligns itself over Cape Cod). In addition, east to northeast winds will increase, gusting to 30mph by Friday evening, increasing to 40mph or better during the nightime hours Friday. A Wind Advisory may be issued by the National Weather Service.

Some minor coastal flooding, or more likely moderate beach erosion, is possible late Friday night as strong onshore winds combine with high waves, a minor storm surge and high astronomoical tides to push water levels up.

While the worst of the weather will be over by Saturday morning, things may be so to clear during the day as wrap around moisture and gusty north winds keep things cool and damp through a good portion of the daylight hours. Hopefully, the system will move a bit quicker and allow for some late day clearing. Either way, Sunday is looking like a much nicer day around the Cape.

Wednesday's Post: A storm system tracking east-northeastward from the Ohio Valley will approach the Mid-Atlantic on Friday and intensify into a potent coastal storm for this time of year. Rain should develop around the region during the morning hours on Friday and become a steady, sometimes heavy rain by Friday afternoon,, lasting into Friday night. This late season storm system has the potential to deliver one to two inches of rain, with locally higher amounts should the heaviest axis of rain set up near Cape Cod.

Along with the heavy rain, expect cold temperatures and gusty east winds to better than 30 mph. This strong onshore flow could lead to a period of beach erosion or minor coastal flooding late Friday night / early Saturday morning thanks to high astronomical tides, mainly along east facing shores.

If that weren't bad enough...another storm may be lurking for Monday.