Sandy Makes Her Move

Posted by Pete Bouchard

We're knee-deep in the winds from Sandy. Gusts already topping 40mph along the coast, and things are only going to get worse.

There are two facets to the storm that have us most concerned: the wind and the coastal flooding. In terms of wind, we've been here before. In terms of coastal flooding, we haven't been here in YEARS.

I know a lot of folks are trying to compare this to storms of the past, and I think that's a good angle to take. So without further adieu:

1) The number of outages will be in the thousands. However,  for communities away from the coast (like west of I-128) this WILL NOT be as bad as the Halloween storm or the Ice Storm of 2008. Our gusts will range from 40-50 mph in these areas, and although the power may go out in some areas, it won't go out in all.

2) Coastal flooding will be the worst in years. The coast will get it from both ends: worst in the wind - with some gusts near 70mph, AND inundation of homes, shore roads, whole streets, and neighborhoods. The impact will be greatest at the noontime high tide on Monday. Local authorities may continue to evacuate through the day, so please stay abreast of the situation.

3) Rainfall. Here's where we don't have to worry. Rain will tally 1-2 inches for most areas, with the Greater Worcester area squeeking out 2-4 in some spots (thanks to the fact that the terrain is more hilly).

Now timeline:

The storm has started. It will last through Tuesday in terms of wind and nuisance rain, then ease up on Wednesday. Although showers and breezes will persist for Halloween, they'll be lighter all around.

Worst winds will be from late morning straight on into the evening today. Particularly hard-hitting winds will occur from 2pm-7pm. This timeframe will see a lot of downed power lines, detours and road blocks. Be careful on your ride home tonight.

Drizzle this morning will turn to rain this afternoon, then taper to lighter showers by evening as the temperatures soar into the mid and upper 60s! We're on the humid side of this storm, so there is no threat for snow!

Here's the tide info:

Newburyport  - Moderate Coastal Flooding, Waves 13-17ft, Surge 3.0 Feet

Gloucester –  Moderate Coastal Flooding, Waves 15-20ft, Surge 3.5 Feet

Revere - Major Coastal Flooding, Waves 12-17ft, Surge 3.3 Feet

Boston Harbor - Moderate Coastal Flooding, Waves 2-3ft, Surge 3.3 Feet

Scituate - Major Coastal Flooding, Waves 13-17ft, Surge 3.5 Feet

Sandwich Harbor- Moderate Coastal Flooding, Waves 15-20ft, Surge 3.5 Feet

Provincetown Harbor- Minor/None Coastal Flooding, Waves  3-4ft, Surge 1.8 Feet

Chatham East- Major Coastal Flooding, Waves 13-17ft, Surge 3.0 Feet

Chatham South- Minor/None Coastal Flooding, Waves 1.6ft, Surge 3.0 Feet

Onset- Minor/None Coastal Flooding, Waves 2 ft, Surge 4.0 Feet

Marion- Minor/None Coastal Flooding, Waves 3-5ft, Surge 4.2 Feet

Mattapoisett- Minor/None Coastal Flooding, Waves 5-6ft, Surge 3.0 Feet

Westport- Major Coastal Flooding, Waves 14-16ft, Surge 4.4 Feet

Woods Hole- Minor/None Coastal Flooding, Waves 3ft, Surge 3.7 Feet

Vineyard Haven- Moderate Coastal Flooding, Waves 3-4ft, Surge 3.9 Feet

Nantucket East - Major Coastal Flooding, Waves 11-12ft, Surge 3.9 Feet

Nantucket Harbor- Major Coastal Flooding, Waves 7-8ft, Surge 3.9 Feet

Nantucket South- Moderate Coastal Flooding, Waves 14-16ft, Surge 3.0 Feet

Keep in mind that the tide will come in a few hours before and stay up a few hours after high tide.

Be safe and cautious out there! And remember to stay with 7News throughout the storm.

And remember to follow us on Twitter for timely updates:

@pbouchardon7

@jreineron7

@clamberon7

Pete

3pm update:

Sandy is rocking to the Jersey coast. Her forward speed has increased, resulting in an earlier landfall than expected. We may see her center onshore by 6pm this evening. This means after 7pm these hellacious winds will drop off...albeit slowly.

Pete

Pulling The Fade

Posted by Chris Lambert

Our fun in the sun ends this afternoon as morning sunshine fades behind thickening clouds.  As those clouds increase, a few showers break out this afternoon from west to east, with the highest chance for rain late afternoon and this evening.  Most of the showers are light, especially the early afternoon ones, but a heavier shower or two is possible near day's end and early this evening.  Highs reach the mid to upper 60s around noon, then fall back to near 60 mid to late afternoon thanks to scattered showers.  These showers are brought to us by a warm front.

Back and Forth

Posted by Chris Lambert

Quite a few clouds in the sky at times this afternoon, but the atmosphere lacked ample moisture to produce showers, so we made out just fine with temps near 70.  Even the coast made it well into the 60s before the onshore wind knocked temps back.

Pretty Good Weekend Overall

Posted by Chris Lambert

Sure, it's a cool start with many of the suburbs down into the upper 30s and lower 40s, but we'll warm up quickly through the day as that sun helps us out.

Strong Finish

Posted by Chris Lambert

An overall cooler day, but also a great end to the workweek as highs neared 70, low humidity continued and plenty of sunshine dominated the skies.  Now all we need is this to continue through the weekend right?