A heavy surf advisory remains in effect tonight from Sandy Hook, NJ down to Cape Hatteras, NC. A stationary area of low pressure, once Tropical Storm Henri is still stalled off the Virginia/North Carolina coast this evening. That combined with high pressure centered over the northeastern United States has resulted in a tight pressure gradient and prolonged northeasterly onshore winds over the past few days. That combined with the astronomial effects from the full harvest moon means higher than normal tides along the Mid Atlantic coast. While the winds may susbside a bit over the next few days, the upcoming weekend is looking less promising for the Mid Atlantic states courtesy of this offshore low pressure system. As high pressure moves northeast and off the northeast US coast, the low pressure currently stalled off the VA/NC coast will retrograde west towards the outer banks this weekend. This will mean a continuation of a stiff east flow, low clouds, fog, and some rainfall as well. Not the perfect beach weekend from hatteras north throguh VAB and Ocean City, Maryland. Hopefully the weather will be better next weekend at Ocean City as sunfest occurs from September 18th-23rd, 2003!!
For tonite, it's still not the best weather for the beach. High tide will be a bit of an issue. At Swells Point, the next high tide will occur after 10 PM this evening at a height of 5.2 feet. At Virginia Beah, the next high tide will occur at 8:40 PM EDT this evening at a projected height of 5.2 feet. A height of 6 feet would cause minor coasta; flooding in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During the early morning high tide, minor street flooding was reported in Virginia Beach on Virginia Beach Boulevard at the intersections of Monticello and Onley. The high tide this evening however isn't expected to be high enough to cause coastal flooding at Virginia Beach.
Nearshore waves will average 5-8 feet through tonight and Thursday with offshore waves in the 10-15 foot range. Persons out in the waters should watch out for high waves and dangerous rip currents over the next few days. While this threat subsides a bit between now and the weekend, the rip current threat will be moderate to high through the upcoming weekend as the low pressure retorgrades west towards the coast.
I'll keep you updated on this as it develops as well as dangerous hurricane Isabel, which continues to show signs of intensifying. It could get to 145-150 mph by 11 PM EDT. Stay tuned.
Jim
WX WOES for the mid atlantic now through the weekend!!!
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hurricanedude
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