Update-11 a.m.:
Henri is now a hurricane, according to the 11 a.m. bulletin issued by the National Hurricane Center.
“The Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunters have been investigating Henri this morning and continue to provide very valuable data…Aircraft data indicate that the minimum pressure has fallen to 991 mb. The NOAA tail Doppler radar data indicate that the storm is becoming more vertically aligned and that a more symmetric eyewall appears to be forming,” according to the National Hurricane Center forecast discussion.
“Henri is moving north-northeastward…at 12 kt. The steering pattern appears fairly well established now with a cut off low located over the central Appalachians and a ridge building to the east and northeast of Henri. This pattern should cause the storm to accelerate to the north or north-northeast today followed by a slight bend to the left on Sunday… overall the models are focused in on landfall being between central Long Island and Rhode Island on Sunday. However, users are reminded to not focus on the center itself, as impacts will extend well away from the center, especially to the east. The new NHC track forecast is a little to the east of the previous one and very near the best-performing models, the consensus aids.”
Original post- 7:04 a.m.:
Tropical Storm Henri is expected to track across Long Island at or near hurricane strength Sunday, according to the latest National Weather Service advisory.
The storm, currently packing 70 mph winds, is located 555 miles south of Montauk Point. It is currently moving north-northeast at 12 mph and tropical storm force winds are most likely to arrive on Long Island during the overnight/early morning hours Sunday.
Henri is expected to intensify over the next 12 hours and pick up forward speed, according to the National Weather Service forecast. The eye of the storm is currently forecast to be off the coast of southern New Jersey at 2 a.m. Sunday and inland over Calverton by 2 p.m. Sunday. Winds of up to 70 mph at landfall are forecast, according to the weather service.
Actual track and intensity of the storm may change, and the weather service cautions against focusing on the location of the center of Henri, since impacts of the storm “will extend far from the center.”
Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service in New York in a statement issued at 5:27 a.m. Saturday:
The main threats from Henri are potentially life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding and tropical storm or hurricane force winds across Long Island and southern Connecticut.
There will also be associated marine and coastal hazards, including very rough seas and dangerous rip currents.
Severe beach erosion is possible for coastal areas of Long Island Sound and portions of Suffolk County, including the Twin Forks region.
A widespread rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is forecast in the path of Henri with localized higher amounts possible Saturday through Sunday night. The highest amounts are forecast to be across eastern Long Island and much of southern Connecticut. This will present a likelihood for areas of flash flooding.
Dangerous marine conditions are likely on the ocean waters south of Long Island, as well as on Long Island Sound, and the south shore and eastern bays of Long Island. Hurricane force winds will be most likely in those areas. Dangerous rip currents and high surf are expected along the ocean beaches of Long Island beginning Friday.
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