** Heads Up ** Hurricane Lee will impact much of the New England coast from Rhode Island north to New Brunswick Canada starting Friday evening. I expect the strongest impacts to be felt on Cape Cod and Downeast Maine, but the entire coast should be prepared for near-Hurricane force wind gusts. Storm surge of 2-4 feet in Cape Cod Bay. Please follow any guidance or directions from your local Emergency Management authorities.
- Hurricane Lee expected to bring high winds, heavy rain and storm surge from Cape Cod to Maine starting Friday evening and lasting into the weekend.
- Cape Cod Bay, the Outer Cape, and Downeast Maine are the areas likely to experience the worst of the storm.
- Heavy rains across much of Texas north of I-10 today and Friday; some flooding possible.
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From the RV Weather Summer Office in Colter Bay Wyoming:
These are the most significant weather impacts to RV travel over the next two to three days. I do not list every area of rain, showers, or breezy winds. (It would be exhausting for both of us!). Please check out the animations and graphics for a good depiction of the weather along your route.
Pacific:
— No significant weather-related impacts to RV’ers today or Friday.
Mountain:
— North-central NM Sangre de Cristo Mountains: Flood Watch this afternoon through late tonight. This region is just north and west of I-25.
— Eastern NM: Isolated strong or marginally severe thunderstorms possible today. Wind and hail are the primary hazards. I-40 potentially impacted.
— Eastern NM: Isolated severe thunderstorms possible Friday. Wind and hail are the primary hazards. I-25, I-40 potentially impacted.
Central:
— Much of northwest, central, and southeast TX: Isolated strong or marginally severe thunderstorms possible today. Wind and hail are the primary hazards. I-10, I-20, I-27, I-35, I-37, I-40, I-45 potentially impacted.
— Portions of central and northwest TX: Slight risk of flash flooding today and tonight. 1-3 inches of rainfall possible in rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms. I-20, I-35 potentially impacted.
— TX Panhandle; much of central and western TX: Isolated severe thunderstorms possible Friday. Wind and hail are the primary hazards. I-10, I-20, I-27, I-35, I-40 potentially impacted.
— Portions of central TX: Slight risk of flash flooding today and tonight. 1-2 inches of rainfall possible in rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms. I-20, I-35 potentially impacted.
— Portions of the southern TX Gulf Coast: Heat Advisory this afternoon. Heat Index Values may approach 114 deg F.
Eastern:
— Coastal RI; eastern MA; coastal NH; southern coastal ME: Tropical Storm Watch Friday night through Saturday evening. Winds could gust to 60 mph. I-95, US-1, US-6 likely impacted.
— Coastal ME and especially Downeast ME: Hurricane Watch Friday night and Saturday. Wind gusts to 70 mph. I-95, US-1 likely impacted.
— Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket MA: Storm Surge Watch Friday night and Saturday. Expect storm surge of 2-4 feet above normal high tide level. US-6 potentially impacted.
— Much of Cape Cod and Maine will see 2-4 inches of rain; Downeast ME may see 4-6 inches of rain from this storm.
— Hurricane Lee is about 800 miles south of Nantucket MA. The storm is moving north at 9 mph and is expected to accelerate. Maximum sustained winds are 100 mph. While the hurricane’s maximum wind-speed is decrease slowly, the size of the storm is growing. I expect winds to increase along the New England Coast, especially from Cape Cod north, starting Friday evening. Heavy rains will likely spread along the coast and into much of Maine Friday night and Saturday.
— I expect Cape Cod, especially the Outer Cape, and Downeast Maine will experience the greatest impacts from Lee. However, all of the New England Coast from Cape Cod north should prepare for strong tropical storm or category 1 Hurricane winds. Cape Cod Bay and the Outer Cape may see 2-4 feet of storm surge. Cape Cod and Maine should expect heavy, flooding rains. The National Weather Service has issued a number of watches associated with the hurricane; these watches will likely be upgraded to warnings later today or tonight.
— This is a big storm, so impacts will extend many miles away from the storm center’s track. The worst of the impacts, especially surge, will be anywhere to the east of where Lee makes landfall, as well as Cape Cod Bay, exposed to winds and seas entering from the north. It is important to not focus only on the ‘cone of uncertainty’.
— Bottom line: If you are RVing or planning to visit the New England Coast this weekend, be prepared for strong to near hurricane force winds, heavy rains, and the near certainty that you will need to change your plans. Please follow any guidance or direction from local Emergency Managers.
Current Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watches from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center
Tropical weather outlook from the National Hurricane Center
Tornado safety information for RVers (what to do!):
Access to real-time road information:
Phone numbers and websites for road conditions in all 50 states. Courtesy of the Cheyenne WY Weather Forecast Office
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