CT could get fringe effects from Dorian with wind, rain

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Confidence is increasing that the state, especially southeast Connecticut, could have some fringe effects from Hurricane Dorian on Friday.

The effects could include wind gusts of up to 37 mph and moderate to heavy rain in areas like New London, Mystic and Stonington.

Dorian is expected to pass south and east of Nantucket on Friday night into Saturday.

Block Island, Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard have the potential for the heaviest rains and strongest winds. At those areas, there is the potential for tropical force winds of around 40 to 50 mph, the strongest across Nantucket.

In western Connecticut, areas like Bridgeport and New Haven will be breezy on Friday with a northeast wind 21 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Beaches such as Misquamicut in Rhode Island and on the south shore of Long Island could have dangerous rip currents.

The NWS stresses that the Dorian is still more than 72 hours away from possibly affecting southern New England’s weather. “So please continue to monitor subsequent forecasts for any changes in track or intensity and fine tuning of hazards and impacts.”

In its 11 a.m. update, the National Hurricane Center said Dorian’s maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. It was located about 90 miles north, northeast from Daytona Beach, Fla. and 205 miles south of Charleston, S.C.

“On this track, the core of Hurricane Dorian will move parallel to the Florida east coast and the Georgia coast through tonight. The center of Dorian is forecast to move near or over the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina Thursday through Friday.

“Some weakening is expected during the next couple of days, and Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days,” the NHC said.

The forecast

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.