BETHESDA STORM CENTER
SANDY UPDATE
The latest predicted track for Hurricane Sandy is only slightly better news for Maryland and the DC area. Rather than the very-worst-case scenario of a landfall between Norfolk and Delaware, Sandy is now expected to slam directly into the New Jersey coast.
What does this mean? We will still have wind damage, falling trees, power outages, and transportation disruptions. Don't be fooled; this is still potentially one of the worst storms in Mid-Atlantic history.
The difference is that many forecasters - and remember, these are just forecasts! - have trimmed our threat levels a notch. We are now expected to get 4-8" of rain, with some saying 4-6", in the DC area. And some are predicting wind gusts of 60 MPH, rather than the 70 MPH we were hearing on Saturday.
In contrast, the same models are showing 8" of rain, with 12" in hard-hit areas, and wind gusts of 70+ MPH for the Delmarva Peninsula, New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and possibly Baltimore. Charm City is on the southern edge of the new track, but all we know for sure is that Baltimore will have slightly worse conditions than the DC area, should this track hold.
60 MPH is still enough to blow window panes out, and knock over trees and power lines.
Another change, is that the worst peak of the storm for us has moved later into Monday evening, and into the late night hours. Conditions will begin to deteriorate today in the DC and Maryland area. I'm sure you can hear the winds starting to pick up intermittently, even as you read this.
Monday morning rush hour will be unpleasant, but the evening will be the one to cause the most concern. I noticed that Sandy has slowed by 3 MPH just since 5:00 AM, so you have to factor those kinds of speed variables into the timing.
Tropical wind and rain conditions will continue in the DC area and Maryland suburbs into Thursday. This could have a potential impact on Halloween.
Here is the latest data on Sandy:
LOCATION: 395 miles E of Charleston, SC
WINDS: 75 MPH
MOVING: NE at 10 MPH
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