Dorian passes offshore, improving weather this weekend in NYC

Hurricane Dorian is still a very dangerous hurricane this morning, making its approach to the Southeast United States. High winds, dangerous storm surge, flash flooding and tornadoes are all possible in the Carolinas today. See our latest updating blog post for local information there and live tracking of impactful weather from the hurricane.

In New York City, the impacts from Dorian are expected to remain relatively minor. Cirrus clouds from the storm system have made their way overhead today – the first time we’ve seen any part of Dorian up close and personal. Luckily, the remainder of the system is expected to stay a safe distance away.

The storm will turn northward and begin accelerating on Friday. Eventually, steering currents around the storm will take it north and east, as it begins to interact with a disturbance and frontal boundary. The storm is expected to begin an extratropical transition away from a purely tropical system.

As this occurs, clouds from Dorian will expand and shift toward parts of the New York City Area – including New Jersey and Long Island. Some areas of showers are also possible, especially along the area shorelines. These will be the outer rain bands of Dorian, but are expected to be far less intense than they are today in the Carolinas.

The main impact will be rough surf and high seas on area beaches. A high risk of rip currents is expected and surf will be particularly dangerous as one travels further out to sea away from the area beaches. Some localized coastal flooding is also possible in parts of New Jersey and on Long Island.

Otherwise, we expect improving weather as we move into Saturday. The back half of the weekend should be especially pleasant, with drier and cooler air moving in behind Dorian – which will slingshot northward into the higher latitudes. Good riddance.