Big John Wetherbee WEATHER SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION

As advertised, SANDY will be a big wind event for us, with marine threats through Sunday.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for near and offshore waters along the Georgia and South Carolina coast. A watch means that tropical storm conditions (winds from 39-74 mph) are possible in the next 48 hours. Small craft advisory continues through Sunday. Inland areas are NOT included in this watch.

In fact, Hurricane SANDY is expected to remain well offshore as it passes Friday and Saturday paralleling our coastline. People with marine and water interests need to be prepared for high surf, dangerous rip currents, and beach erosion. Swimmers and boaters need to take extra caution.

Next, there’s a “romantic explosion of hype” for the next Perfect Storm over the Northeast. Many models suggest the remnants of SANDY will exploded into a powerful gale storm, or a “nor’easter”. There’s a growing confidence this will happen and travel advisors now are suggesting that it’s time to change your travel plans to the Northeast for next week.

Finally, what we need to know now. SANDY is Cat 2 hurricane moving faster to the north through the Central Bahamas. She is expected to slow dangerously close to SE Florida late night tonight and tomorrow as the outer wind fields expand very quickly. Those tropical storm force winds will reach Miami.

During the day Friday, she will move NNW before turning away to the NE later Friday, still as a hurricane. Gusty winds are expected in Jacksonville for the big Georgia-Florida game Saturday afternoon, more of a cross wind that will have an impact on game strategy.

And, as Hurricane SANDY passes North Carolina Sunday, beginning the process of becoming sub-tropical or extratropical, some of the coldest air of the season is being drawn southward for next week. Behind the strong steering cold front, and later the merging trough, the huge tropical circulation that is SANDY is ushering freezing temperatures to Tennessee, 40s across Georgia.

SANDY this weekend and the colder air for next week. That sure gets your attention. We’ll be watching! Meteorologist John Wetherbee, CBM

Email: BigJohn@wtoc.com