The National Weather Service issued a more severe forecast of an oncoming nor’easter by the late afternoon on Saturday, Oct. 11. Updated alerts have increased the risk associated with wind gusts and flooding along coastal areas of New Jersey.
“For the New York City metro area we now have wind advisories in effect for pretty much everywhere along the coast,” said Matthew Wunsch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
The advisory takes effect at noon on Sunday, Oct. 12, for eastern regions of Hudson and Essex counties and predicts winds of anywhere from 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as fast 45 mph. Bergen County could be spared the worst due to “land blockage,” as winds barrel down upon Manhattan, Long Island and the Bronx.
New Jersey declares state of emergency for this weekend due to coastal storm
“We’re going to get the stongest gusts off the immediate coast,” Wunsch said. “Not to say it won’t be windy,” he cautioned. “You can still expect gust of 30-45 mph in places that don’t have an advisory.”
Flood risks were updated to “warnings” ― the most severe among the service’s three-tiered alerts ― for eastern regions of Hudson, Bergen and Essex counties in New Jersey. Although expected rainfall totals for the two-day event have risen to anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 inches, that is expected to take place over two days, according to the latest forecast.
Fishermen take advantage of the still dedent weather on Saturday at the Manasquan Inlet as the forecast for the next few days isn’tgood withthe incoming Nor’easter.
“The potential for widespread moderate flooding is what we’re anticipating for the New York City metro area,” Wunsch said, noting the storm “shouldn’t result in any flash flooding.”
Coastal areas remain in the greatest peril for floods and damaging winda, according to Wunsch.
Several municipalities have issued alerts to their residents and ahead of the weekend, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way declared a State of Emergency yesterday that will go into effect at 10 p.m. on Oct. 11.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ storm warning for nor’easter has NWS upgrading coastal flood alerts