Earl Bringing Deteriorating Conditions to New England
Large waves crash along the shore at Rehoboth Beach, Del., Friday morning as Earl draws closer to the southeast. (Photo courtesy of AccuWeather.com Facebook Fan Meredith Specker Wade)
An update at 11 p.m. EDT: Earl has weakened to a tropical storm, and is located approximately 90 miles south-southeast of Nantucket, Mass., with motion to the northeast at 25 mph. Maximum sustained winds are at 70 mph.
Satellite imagery shows that Earl is slowly weakening with the eye no longer distinct. Further weakening is expected through tonight. Earl will remain a tropical storm as it makes landfall over Nova Scotia Saturday morning.
Battering waves and gusty winds are currently targeting areas from the New Jersey coast to Long Island and southern New England.
While tropical-storm force gusts were being measured earlier Friday along the coast from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to New Jersey, winds became lighter late in the afternoon with gusts generally ranging from 20 to 30 mph. They are expected to increase to tropical storm force across southeastern New England tonight.
Meanwhile, the storm's rain bands are shifting northward through southern New England, while pulling away from the mid-Atlantic coast.
Buoys near the coast of Delaware, New Jersey and Long Island are reporting wave heights around 8-10 feet. Farther offshore, these heights are ranging from 15 to 20 feet.
A 4.69-foot storm surge was reported near Hatteras Village, N.C., just before 10 a.m. Friday.
Highest wind gusts measured through Friday evening EDT:
-Oregon Inlet Marina: 82 mph
-Pamlico Sound: 75 mph
-Ocracoke: 73 mph
-Manteo, N.C.: 70 mph
-Hatteras, N.C.: 66 mph
-Oceana, Va.: 48 mph
The winds reportedly tore off the canopy of a gas station in Manteo, N.C., Friday morning. Minor damage to roofs, siding and trees was also noted around Nags Head, Manns Harbor and Poplar Branch, N.C.
The radar displayed below shows Earl's heavy rain bands spreading northeastward from the mid-Atlantic coast into southern New England. The heaviest rain measured through noon EDT Friday was in Hatteras, N.C., with 4.52 inches falling since early Thursday evening.
Large, pounding waves have also been causing beach erosion and coastal flooding. Coastal flooding was reported along highways across the Outer Banks region. Parts of Highway 12 near Frisco and Mirlo Beach, N.C., were closed Friday morning as a result, according to the National Weather Service.
Large waves also eroded 30-40 feet of sand and cut into the dunes at Folly Beach County Park, S.C.
If you have photos or video from Hurricane Earl, whether of the actual storm, preparations, evacuations or damage, upload them to AccuWeather.com Facebook. However, please be safe while taking footage.
The satellite shot of Earl shows that he is slowly weakening with the eye becoming indistinct.
A government buoy station that took a direct hit from Earl Wednesday morning reported 49-foot waves and 101-mph wind gusts.
The latest official estimated statistics on Hurricane Earl are always available in the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center.
Content contributed by Jesse Ferrell, Meteorologist/Community Director
Related to the Story:
Earl to Bash Nantucket, Cape Cod, Boston
Earl to Batter Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada Saturday
Earl's Dangers Lurk for Labor Day Weekend
Follow us on Twitter Breaking Weather
Extreme Weather with Henry Margusity
Northeast Weather with Elliot Abrams
More Weather News
-
Brutal Cold Continuing across Europe
Feb 12, 2012; 8:09 AM ET
A cold spell that has now claimed nearly 500 lives will continue through the weekend for much of Europe before diminishing in the west next week.
-
No Explanation for Pennsylvania's Purple Squirrel
Feb 12, 2012; 8:05 AM ET
The third purple squirrel ever found was released back into the forest on Tuesday.
-
Amazing International Snowfall Pictures and Videos
Feb 12, 2012; 8:00 AM ET
AccuWeather Facebook fans share their pictures and video of the snowfall from Bosnia, England and Italy.
-
Cozy Up to Your Valentine as Arctic Air Plunges into the US
Feb 12, 2012; 7:54 AM ET
We have an exclusive snuggle index for Valentine's Day weekend as arctic air plunges across the eastern two-thirds of the nation.
-
High Hopes for First Dutch Skating Marathon in 15 Years
Feb 12, 2012; 7:46 AM ET
"If they don't do it this year, who knows when it could happen again."
-
More Rain Coming to the Northwest and California
Feb 12, 2012; 7:11 AM ET
Another winter system approaching the Northwest will deliver some more rain to the Northwest and California early this week.
-
Peeing Boy Plumbing Problems
Feb 12, 2012; 5:01 AM ET
The Manneken Pis or "peeing boy statue" in Brussels, Belgium, is having a little "going" problem.
-
Wintry Weather Returns to Southern Plains
Feb 12, 2012; 4:13 AM ET
Wintry weather is on tap for the southern Plains today with snow, sleet, freezing drizzle and even some ice.
-
Blast of Arctic Air to Follow Eastern Snows
Feb 11, 2012; 4:00 PM ET
A blast of arctic air will plow into the eastern part of the country tonight into Sunday behind a departing cold front.
-
Buffalo Hockey Tournament: From Pond to Parking Lot
Feb 11, 2012; 3:52 PM ET
Event organizers made the call to cancel the on-water aspect of the tournament in late January when an absence of ice and expected continuance of mild weather.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 83° | Gila Bend, AZ |
| Low | -20° | Fosston, MN |
| Precip | 0.70" | Chatham, MA |
WeatherWhys®
The "Dead of Winter," the one-month period when normal temperatures reach their lowest levels, has come to an end for much of the United States. Some people may find it odd that the "Dead of Winter" does not encompass the darkest day of the year (the first day of winter). That is due to a seasonal lag in temperatures. More heat continues to be lost than is gained from the start of winter until this time of year.
This Day In Weather History
Savannah, GA (1899)
(12th-13th) 2 in. snowfall, one of 3 snowstorms in past 200 years that re- quired a ruler measurement.
Lake Placid, NY (1980)
Finally some snow. Just in time for the opening ceremonies at the Olympic town.
Rough Weather
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.