CALLAWAY, Md. (Sept. 24, 2008)—The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory from 2 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, through 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26. Prolonged northeasterly winds over the Chesapeake Bay and high tides one to one-and-a-half-feet above normal astronomical values are expected to produce minor coastal flooding along the western shore of the bay south of Baltimore.
According to AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet, the coastal storm will be more like a nor'easter than a tropical storm. However, Kocet cautions that, "a nor'easter can be just as destructive as a tropical storm." While the system is not likely to become a tropical storm, it will feel like one. Wind gusts close to 40 mph have been reported today in the Carolinas and Virginia.
The coastal storm is expected to be followed by the low pressure area that is over Hispaniola today. After two days of producing deadly flooding and mudslides in Puerto Rico, the poorly organized system has moved to the west.
According to the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, as the low turns to the north and away from the islands it will enter an area where reduced wind shear and warm water will allow the storm to intensify. Over the next 24 to 48 hours, it is likely to develop into the eleventh named tropical system of the 2008 Atlantic Basin hurricane season. This weekend, it could be the seventh to make landfall in the U.S.
AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno says the fast moving system has the potential this weekend to impact the East Coast from Long Island to Canada's Maritimes.
Times of the next high tides for a few locations from north to south on the Chesapeake Bay:
HAVRE DE GRACE: 6:13 PM and 7:15 AM
BOWLEY BAR: 3:51 PM and 4:53 AM
FORT MCHENRY BALTIMORE: 3:00 PM and 4:02 AM
ANNAPOLIS U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY: 2:32 AM and 2:36 PM
SOLOMONS ISLAND: 11:24 PM and 11:28 AM
POINT LOOKOUT: 10:34 PM and 10:38 AM
High tides along the Potomac River:
WASHINGTON DC KEY BRIDGE: 5:08 PM and 5:34 AM
ALEXANDRIA: 5:01 PM and 5:27 AM
INDIAN HEAD: 4:29 PM and 4:55 AM
GOOSE BAY: 1:01 AM and 1:37 PM
WICOMICO RIVER NEAR COBB ISLAND: 9:10 PM and 9:45 AM
LEONARDTOWN: 11:19 PM and 11:55 AM