Local forecasters say East End residents should be aware of dangerous rip tides and high surf caused by a tropical storm that is developing off the coast of Florida.
Tropical Storm Arthur could pass offshore near Long Island by the Fourth of July, Friday, and forecasters say the area can expect rainfall beginning Wednesday evening with heavier rainfall Friday night into Saturday morning.
Meteorologist David Stark of the National Weather Service in Upton, said the rain will be a result of a cold front coming in from the west and have less to do with the actual storm coming up from the south.
“We’re really not expecting any direct impact from the storm,” Mr. Stark said. “It’s going to pass off the coast. It looks to pass between 200 and 300 miles southeast of The Hamptons, late Friday evening.”
Mr. Stark said, however, that high surf and strong rip currents could be an issue, even though Arthur is not expected to make landfall.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the tropical storm now has winds of approximately 60 mph. Storms are considered category 1 hurricanes when wind speeds reach 74 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Category 2 hurricanes have wind speeds of 96 to 110 mph. Category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes are considered major storms and have wind speeds between 129 and 157 mph.
Some forecasters say Arthur is on track to become a category 1 hurricane with gusty winds and damaging, heavy rain.
The National Weather Service is continuing the track the storm.
Laura Weir on Jul 2, 2014