John Wetherbee's Weather Blog and Forecast Discussion | Weather

Weather from WTOC-TV

(Issued 3:00 pm Wednesday, August 24, 2011)

Big John Summary & Discussion

What will IRENE do?  Can we let down our guard yet?  And when we will get the all-clear?

She will pass by us late Friday night is the answer to the first question.  Official forecast track keeps her more than 200 miles offshore passing Savannah.  So, big ocean swells, astral high tides Saturday morning and gusty winds will create significant coastal flooding, and dangerous rip currents.  She maybe too far away to get any rain!

You must not let your guard down, not until IRENE has past us on Saturday.  That's when we will signal the ALL CLEAR.  Not until then.

And a quick note about her current condition which continues to strengthen.  No surprises so far as she works her way through the Bahamas, wiping out island communities with 7-10" of rain and MAX sustained winds at 120 mph at last report.  She has turn to the NW this afternoon and is expected to slowly turn more northerly by tomorrow.

Our coastal showers this afternoon were expected, and they have nothing to do with the approaching hurricane.  The high that IRENE is following is shifting to the northeast away from us.  A coastal trough, a normal development with departing highs this time of year, is being pushed inland by the sea breeze.  Little lightning so far with these showers, but don't be surprised as they interact with colder air aloft along I-95.

Tonight:  Mostly cloudy, 30% chance of evening showers and storms, SE wind 5-8 mph, low 73

Tomorrow: Partly sunny, 30% chance of showers and storms, east wind 5-10 mph.  Hi 89, cooler on the islands.

Meteorologist John Wetherbee, CBM

Email:  BigJohn@wtoc.com

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