FLHurricane.com: Hurricane Irene

On Wednesday, 24 August at 2PM EDT, Category III Hurricane Irene was located at 22.7N 74.3W or about 65 miles southeast of Long Island, Bahamas (that's Bahamas, not New York) with sustained winds of 120mph and a central pressure of 954mb (28.17") moving to the northwest at 12mph. Irene is currently about 250 miles southeast of Nassau and is expected to pass well to the east of Nassau Thursday afternoon. The current weather conditions at Nassau, Bahamas, can be monitored here:

Nassau, Bahamas, Weather Conditions

Irene should pass 210 miles east of Melbourne, Florida, shortly after Midnight Friday morning as a Category IV Hurricane with sustained winds of 135mph gusting to 160mph. Winds along the barrier island communities of east central Florida will be out of the north at 30-40mph and higher gusts are possible in rain squalls associated with the outer bands of the hurricane Thursday night / Friday morning. Winds along the I-95 corridor in east central Florida will be northerly at 25-35mph. Beach erosion, high waves and rip currents can be expected Friday through Sunday.

Irene should slowly turn to the north and then more to the north northeast and pass 25-30 miles offshore Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Saturday afternoon as a strong Category II Hurricane. The current weather conditions at Cape Hatteras can be monitored here:

Cape Hatteras Weather Conditions

Irene should then track at least 100 miles east of eastern Maryland and Delaware early Sunday morning and New Jersey Sunday afternoon as a weakening Category II Hurricane, passing just east of Long Island (New York on this one) and landfall early Sunday evening in southeastern Massachusetts as a Category I Hurricane with sustained winds near the center of 85mph gusting to 100mph. Early Monday morning Irene should be in eastern Maine - still as a minimal Category I hurricane with winds of 75mph. Current weather conditions in the Northeast can be monitored here:

Northeast Weather Conditions

Rip currents, high waves and beach erosion are likely along the east coast of the United States and storm surge can be expected from the Carolinas to New England. Monitor your local National Weather Service office and the National Hurricane Center for updated information on the expected track, intensity and impacts from Hurricane Irene. Irene is a dangerous hurricane - if you are in her path, take precautions to stay safe.
ED