Miami, Florida—(ENEWSPF)—August 28, 2011 – UPDATE 5 PM EDT. The National Hurricane Center is reporting that Tropical Storm Irene is nearing northern New England. As of 5 PM EDT, Irene is located 42.7 N, 72.8 W, about 65 mi (100 km) south of Rutland, Vermont. Maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Minimum central pressure of 975 mb (28.79 inches.
There are no changes in watches and warnings with this advisory,
Summary of Watches and Warnings in Effect
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Cape Henlopen, Delaware northward to Eastport, Maine, including Delaware Bay, New York City, Long Island, Long Island Sound, coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket
- United States/Canada border northeastward to Fort Lawrence including Grand Manan
- South coast of Nova Scotia from Fort Lawrence to Porters Lake
Interests elsewhere in eastern Canada should monitor the progress of Irene.
For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your Local National Weather Service Forecast Office.
For storm information specific to your area outside the United States, please monitor products issued by your National Meteorological Service.
Discussion and 48-Hour Outlook
At 5 PM EDT (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Irene was located near latitude 42.7 north, longitude 72.8 west. Irene is moving toward the north-northeast near 26 mph, (43 km/h) and this motion with a little faster forward speed is expected over the next day or so. On the forecast track, the center of Irene will move over eastern Canada tonight and early Monday.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts, mainly over or near the water well east of the center. Irene is forecast to weaken and become a post-tropical cyclone by tonight.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 320 miles, (520 km) from the center. A wind gust of 67 mph (108 km/h) was reported from an unofficial site near Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 975 mb (28.79 inches).
Hazards Affecting Land
Elevated water levels will persist in areas of onshore winds along the coast from Connecticut through Maine. The highest water levels will occur near the upper parts of bays and inlets near the coast. These elevated water levels will also be accompanied by large, destructive and life-threatening waves.
Higher than normal astronomical tides are occurring this weekend. Coastal and river flooding will be highest around the time of high tide. Storm tide and surge values are very location-specific and users are urged to consult products issued by their Local National Weather Service Offices.
Irene is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches from northeastern New York State northeastward through the northern portion of New England. These rains, combined with heavy rains over the past few weeks, could cause widespread flooding and life-threatening flash floods.
Tropical Storm force winds will spread northward into portions of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia later today. Significantly higher wind speeds are likely over areas of elevated terrain in northern New England and eastern Canada.
Surface Wind Field
Click image to zoom in ![[Image of initial wind radii]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0911R_sm2+gif/205718R_sm.gif)
About this product:
This graphic shows the areas potentially being affected by the sustained winds of tropical storm force (in orange) and hurricane force (in red). The display is based on the wind radii contained in the latest Forecast/Advisory (indicated at the top of the figure). Users are reminded that the Forecast/Advisory wind radii represent the maximum possible extent of a given wind speed within particular quadrants around the tropical cyclone. As a result, not all locations falling within the orange or red shaded areas will be experiencing sustained tropical storm or hurricane force winds, respectively.
In addition to the wind field, this graphic shows an approximate representation of coastal areas under a hurricane warning (red), hurricane watch (pink), tropical storm warning (blue) and tropical storm watch (yellow). The white dot indicates the current position of the center of the tropical cyclone, and the dashed line shows the history of the center of the tropical cyclone.
source: nhc.noaa.gov
