Hurricane Sandy is moving slowly away from the Florida and the Bahamas. Tropical-Storm-Force winds are already near the coast of North Carolina.
Sandy is centered at midday about 355 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, moving toward the north-northeast. A turn toward the northeast at a faster forward speed is forecast for Sunday, then a turn toward the north on Sunday Night, paralleling the U.S. coast through the weekend.
Maximum sustained winds are 75 mph – a Category One hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in strength is expected for several days.
A Tropical Storm Warning continues for Great Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands, and along the Southeast U.S. coastline from the South Santee River to Duck, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. A Tropical Storm Watch continues from the Savannah River north to South Santee River, and for Bermuda. Gale, Storm, and High Wind Watches and Warnings have been issued for areas north of the Tropical Storm Warning area.
Those living in the mid-Atlantic and New England states should monitor the progress of this hurricane. Remember- do not focus on the details of the exact track forecast late in forecast period, as Sandy is expected to impact a large area of the U.S. East coast early next week.
Total rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated 8 inch amounts, are possible over far eastern North Carolina. Amounts of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated 12 inch amounts, are possible over portions of the mid-Atlantic States, including the DelMarVa Peninsula.
Follow updates from Tropicalwx.com – See the statements being issued by local National Weather Service offices at weather.gov.
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