Storm Josephine update: Which US coastal areas could be hit by Storm Josephine’s 34-Foot waves?

Subtropical Storm Josephine is presently across the Atlantic and there are concerns about strong winds, rough seas and coastal flooding in parts of the US East Coast. The storm is expected to intensify prior to moving further away from the mainland. People along the coast from NC to New England are being asked to remain vigilant. Communities quite some distance from the centre of the storm could still be hit by dangerous waves and rip currents. The forecasters are also watching another system which could develop off the Bahamas and Florida next week. The information is taken from WESH and the Daily Mail.

Where are the strongest winds and biggest waves expected

In its 11 am advisory on Thursday the 22nd October, the NHC had Josephine some 200 miles southeast of Nantucket, MA and 420 miles south-southwest of Halifax, NS. The storm was moving NE at 12 mph with max sustained winds of 65 mph. Winds of at least 40 mph extended out to 415 miles either side of the centre so it was a very wide reaching system across the Atlantic.


Forecasters expect Josephine to intensify prior to becoming a powerful extratropical cyclone with hurricane force winds by Thursday night or early Friday. That doesn't necessarily mean it will become a Category 1 hurricane. It's expected to undergo a transformation into a different type of system as it moves away from the US.

The report states that in parts of the Atlantic waves could reach 34ft, which would be extremely hazardous for vessels. Along the coast there could be large waves resulting in rough surf, rip currents and flooding at high tide.

AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva was warning people not to underestimate the storm just because it's a subtropical system.

'When people hear the word "subtropical" they tend to think of it as a weaker form of a tropical cyclone and that's not necessarily true,' said DaSilva in a statement.

These storms can have very wide wind fields which in turn produce dangerous surf and coastal impacts well outside of the storm's centre. Josephine is a case in point as a reminder that the storm's category doesn't necessarily give you the full picture of the potential for impact.

Which coastal areas should be on alert

North Carolina

Virginia

New Jersey

New York

Connecticut

Rhode Island

Massachusetts

These could experience coastal impact. Strong winds are forecast for parts of Long Island, eastern CT, RI and eastern MA with gusty conditions also possible along the NH and ME coasts.

The NWS has issued a warning that water levels could rise in low lying areas near the shoreline. In parts of NY, flooding could reach up to 6 inches above ground in susceptible areas.

Rough seas are another issue. Rip currents can pull even a strong swimmer away from the shore and large waves breaking right at the beach can be very dangerous.

Drivers are also being urged to steer clear of any roads where seawater starts to spill over during high tides. The floodwater can be deeper than it appears and can leave vehicles damaged or simply stranded.

Although Jo is expected to move out into the Atlantic over the next day or so, dangerous surf and coastal flooding could continue for the coming days. The NHC in its advisory made no mention of any coastal watches or warnings being in effect but did state that hazardous conditions were still possible.

As Josephine moves away the AccuWeather meteorologists are keeping an eye on another system over the Bahamas and Florida. That system could become a tropical cyclone next week. If it does become a tropical storm it will be named Kyle.

The big issue is still Josephine and its impact along the East Coast. The forecasters are keeping people advised that dangerous waves and rip currents can reach coastal areas quite some distance out from the storm's centre.