Expected rainfall totals between Dec. 14-15, 2022. (Credit: NWS)
A coastal storm will move into the region Thursday, and while the National Weather Service has ruled out wintry weather for the Shore area, the intensity of wind and heavy seas has increased over the expectations from a day ago.
A wind advisory and gale warning were both in effect. The wind advisory calls for east winds of 20 to 30 m.p.h. with gusts up to 50 m.p.h. expected between Thursday night and 10 a.m. Friday.
“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” an advisory statement said. “Strong easterly winds will diminish and shift to the west by Friday morning.”
Widespread rainfall of 1-2 inches is expected with locally higher amounts, the NWS said in a briefing package. Rain will move into the Shore area mainly after 11 a.m. Thursday morning and linger until around 1 p.m. Friday. Localized minor flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas is possible. The bulk of the rain will fall Thursday night, with another half-inch falling Friday morning.
Offshore, “winds and seas will continue to build Thursday night as the storm approaches,” a marine forecast from the NWS said. “Expect easterly winds increasing to 25-35 kts with gusts near 40-45 kts and seas building to 8-12 feet by daybreak Friday.”
Rough seas are expected to remain through Saturday.
