Earl is still a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph; however, it continues to show signs of weakening. The storm is still moving to the north-northeast at 18 mph. Over the next 12-24 hours, Earl should begin to turn more to the northeast and accelerate as he interacts with the approaching cold front to the west. As of 10AM, Cape May and Atlantic City are reporting wind gusts of only 20 mph out of the north. As the day wears on and Earl moves closer, conditions are expected to deteriorate with winds gusting to tropical storm force and some tropical rain bands beginning to move into the area. Last night, as Earl approached the Outer Banks, we noticed a dry slot of air filter into the storm. This allowed for the NC coast to be spared from a few hours of rain and wind from Earl's outer bands. That dry slot still exists and is currently over NJ this morning. Tropical storm force winds are still far reaching with this storm as they can be felt upwards of 205 miles from the center. That should place NE New Jersey and New York City areas within tropical storm force conditions throughout the afternoon, albeit on the outer fringes. That is why the NHC has continued the tropical storm watch for the area. The greater chance of gusty winds will exist for areas south and east of the city.
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| Frisco Pier, NC (Photo taken by AP) |
- Meteorologist Anthony Dalbo
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