Earl is now leaving the N Carolina area where guts of 70 MPH hit the region last night. Thankfully the system stayed off shore sparing the region with the worst of the winds. The storm is now traveling up the East Coast towards the next close call at Cape Cod. They are still getting gusty winds near 25 MPH along the Cape Hatteras area. There are still areas of over wash and flooded streets in the area. The next stop is Cape Cod. Depending on the track, this area could be hit hard later on today.New York City and other metro areas should fare fine but will have the normal inconveniences of a bad storm.These areas still need to keep up their guard in case of any changes in the track.
Hi everybody. Hurricane Earl has again strengthened and is now a powerful 140 MPH hurricane. The new forecast track and models are actually potential good news for Cape Hatteras but not so great for New England. Cape Cod is definitely on the hot seat with the hurricane possibly passing very near or over the area.
Without the interaction of land from the Carolinas, the cyclone could be a powerful category 2 storm as it passes over this area. Keep in mind that the Outer Banks are still under the gun and definitely not out of the woods. Even if the system stays offshore, these areas will be heavily impacted. The problem here is that many people in this region are not used to hurricanes and do not know how to prepare. I only hope that people heed the evacuation orders and leave if they are asked. Remember that many casualties in a hurricane are from drowning in the storm surge.
In the wake of Earl we will have to watch Gaston. He will be a player around the Labor Day weekend. The models are currently keeping him quite low and hopefully that trend continues to allow him to slide south of Florida.He will have to be watched carefully.
Now...Large swells from earl will affect area beaches starting today... A tightening pressure gradient between an area of high pressure to the north of Florida and major hurricane earl will continue to create breezy conditions across east central Florida today. East and northeast winds will continue to transport very dry air in the mid levels of the atmosphere. The morning sounding at Cape canaveral (kxmr) had precipitable water vapor values of 0.98 inches... Indicative of dry air and a very low chance of showers across the area today. Fast moving Marine showers across the coastal waters off of brevard county and the treasure coast could move onshore and produce a quick trace to tenth of an inch of rain today. Breezy conditions will continue across the area with wind gusts up to 30 mph 
over land. Major hurricane earl continues to move towards the north and west and is producing a significant swell that will begin to affect area beaches today. Shorter period seas developing under today'S strong easterly flow will LEAD to very rough conditions and when combined with earl'S large breaking swell will LEAD to a high risk of rip currents. If you Decide to go into the waters today...Only swim at A beach where lifeguards are present. If in any doubt...Do not enter the water. A high surf advisory is in effect from noon today through 5 a.M. Edt on Friday. A small craft advisory remains in effect for all of east central Florida'S coastal waters. A lake wind advisory is in effect from from 11:00 a.M. This morning to 7:00 p.M. This evening. 50 Foot waves have been reported near the hurricane.
