Irene Expectations - Wednesday PM Update

Here is what we can expect in the Boston area from Irene based on the Wednesday evening forecasts.

11 AM Friday - A Hurricane Watch could be issued Friday afternoon for much of the area.

NOW would be a good time to preliminarily prepare. (See below)

2-4 PM Saturday - A cold front and outter bands of rain approach New England around  well ahead of the hurricane.

7 AM Sunday - Heavy rains begin to fall around.

8 AM Sunday - Tropical storm force winds (40mph+) reach the Cape and south coastline by 8 AM.

9 AM Sunday - Wind speeds gradually increase, water/surge begins to rise along the south coast. Strong east winds Northshore & NH coasts will increase wave heights.


1-3 PM Sunday - Irene makes first landfall on eastern Long Island as a category 2 hurricane 96-110mph winds with higher gusts. Rainfall could approach 10" over parts of New England and isolated tornadoes are possible.

2-4 PM Sunday - Eye of Irene makes 2nd landfall (at this time from Bridgeport, CT to New Bedford, MA.

One Model depiction of landfall of Hurricane Irene in New England at 2 PM. Green areas are hurricane force winds. 

5-7 PM Sunday - Eye of Irene tracks near Boston with winds 75-95 mph, strongest at the coast.

8 PM Model cloud depiction of Irene with the eye/center over the MA/NH border.

8-10 PM Sunday - Eye of Irene is near Rochester, NH  to Portland Maine 75 mph. Rain ends for Boston area. Winds die down.