NEW YORK — Hurricane Lee, with its eyes on New England, is likely to be felt up and down the East Coast as the system continues north through the weekend.
Forecasters expect the Category 1 hurricane to pass approximately 250 miles east of Montauk between Friday night and early Saturday. Despite that distance, Lee’s impacts should still be felt by many.
The winds will be one of the main signs that the approaching hurricane is moving away from the coast and approaching landfall in the north. Conditions start to become windier on Friday.
Gusts begin to gradually increase on Friday (25-30 mph) before peaking on Saturday (35-40 mph). The eastern end of Long Island, specifically Montauk, would see the strongest gusts. The National Weather Service says winds will begin to weaken overnight.
Those along the ocean coast will not only see wind spikes as Lee moves across the Atlantic: wave heights could also prove dangerous.
Starting Friday, waves off eastern Long Island could reach heights of 4 to 8 feet. Forecasters predict heights will peak Saturday at between 10 and 16 feet, before falling slightly on Sunday between 9 and 12 feet.
The significant wave heights can cause erosion of dunes and beaches. The following graph shows the main threats throughout this weekend:
Prior to Lee’s coastal passage, large sections of New York City were placed under warning for potentially hazardous beach conditions and coastal flooding.
The New York City Department of Emergency Management said city residents should “remain alert and take preparedness measures,” particularly those in coastal areas. A coastal flood warning has been issued for southern Queens.
In it Thursday agency notice, officials warned of what could be minor flooding in low-lying areas, such as roads and parking lots. They also warned of potentially deadly rip currents until Saturday night on Atlantic-facing beaches.
“While the city’s beaches have closed to swimming for the season, they remain open to surfers, and we recommend caution when entering the water this weekend,” said New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Despite being some of the strongest swimmers in town, we urge surfers to be aware of the high risk of rip currents as we experience the aftermath of Hurricane Lee.”
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🌊 NYC’s coastal communities are under an advisory to elevate their readiness in anticipation of possible coastal inundation and dangerous beach conditions as a result of the distant Hurricane Lee.
Remain alert & check on your neighbors.
Read more: https://t.co/g4XbiK3vh9
— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) September 14, 2023
2023-09-15 02:44:11
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