State of Emergency

A HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED from Hull, MA and points south through the Cape and Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Boston, but it should be upgraded to a warning later tonight. Deval Patrick has issued a state of Emergency as Earl comes towards MA. As of 8 PM Earl is a Cat 2 Hurrcicane with winds of 110 MPH, it is expected to hold at that strength as it passes close to Nantucket 2 AM Saturday morning. Time to board up the windows if you are on the Cape or the islands, and just bring in any loose object around Boston. However, a small shift either west or east would change the current forecast-so stay tuned for more updates.



Cape+ islands Hurricane timeline: Friday.



Noon: First rain bands arrive as wind starts to pick up. Very humid with highs in the mid 70's.



3 PM- 8pm: Heavy rain and wind gusts as high as 40 MPH.



8PM- 5 AM: Downpours along with hurricane force winds. Gusts as high as 90 MPH causing some structaul damage and widespread powers outages. Waves from 20-30 FT, causing minor splashover. Very humid with lows in the 60's.



5AM-11 AM Saturday: Rain ends but winds still gust to 50 MPH.



Saturday Afternoon: The sun is out as the wind diminishes. Highs in the mid 70's. Stay out of the water!





Boston area: Friday



Noon: Clouds build in. Humid with temps around 80.



4 PM-8PM: The rain starts and becomes steady. Wind gusts as high as 30 MPH.



8PM-7AM Saturday: Periods of rain along with Tropical Storm force winds. NE wind of 30-40 with gusts as high as 50 MPH possible.



Saturday: Skies clear ast the wind slows down. Less humid with highs in the upper 70's.



In Boston be prepared for some power outages and some limbs to come down. No major damage is expected at this point.



Rain totals: Through 8 AM Saturday





3-6 inches: The cape and the islands.



2-3: The south shore and south of Boston



1-2: Boston and the north shore.



.5-1: West of 128.





Stay tuned for more updates thru Friday! Once the Hurricane is over I will post more on the Labor day weekend forecast.