Hot, Humid & Stormy Weekend

• AM Patchy Fog
• Unsettled Weekend
• Severe Threat
• Pleasant Next Week
• Hurricane Ernesto

This morning we’re waking up to patchy fog for parts of the region. Temps will climb back into the upper 80s today with the return of a few storms late in the day. It becomes much more unsettled Saturday and Sunday. Temps will heat up in to the low 90s ahead of a strong cold front. This front will likely produce scattered to numerous showers and storms Saturday afternoon and evening. A few of these could be strong to severe with the biggest concern being damaging wind and localized flooding. The front will stall, leading to more afternoon and evening storms Sunday. Severe threat will not be as high as Saturday, but an isolated stronger storm or two can’t be ruled out. Drier air finally makes its way in next week with a nice drop in humidity and temperatures. Highs will top out in the mid 80s with overnight lows falling back into the mid 60s.

Location: ~ 325 miles SW of Bermuda

Wind: 100 mph

Movement: NNE at 14 mph

Pressure: 968 mb

Ernesto is expected to continue moving NNE today and slow down as it approaches Bermuda. It could strengthen over the next 24 hours nearing major hurricane status. It will likely pass near or over Bermuda Saturday. By late in the weekend, it will move faster toward the NE where it will continue to weaken over cooler waters and increased wind shear. It will near Atlantic Canada early next week. Swells from Ernesto will reach the U.S. East Coast today with dangerous surf and life threatening rip currents through the weekend.

Wind: Tropical Storm force conditions expected to begin today for Bermuda w/ Hurricane force conditions Saturday

Storm Surge: Significant coastal flooding expected for Bermuda

Rainfall: 6-12″, with isolated areas up to 15″ leading to flash flooding

Surf: Swells from Ernesto will reach the US East coast today. Life-threatening surf and rip currents through the weekend