Tracking Dorian

Hurricane Dorian continues to be monitored very closely. It devastated parts of the Bahamas. When it made landfall on Great Abaco Island (near Marsh Harbour) with 185 mph maximum sustained winds, it tied the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane for the strongest Atlantic hurricane landfall on record. Catastrophic storm surge also occurred. For the first time in recorded history, at least one Category 5 hurricane has now occurred in the Atlantic Basin for four consecutive years.

This storm is expected to track off to the east of North Florida and South Georgia. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect from Sebastian Inlet to Ponte Vedra Beach. A Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning covers our coastal communities to the north. The greatest impacts will be in coastal areas. Storm surge looks to be the biggest threat with heights 3 to 5 feet above ground forecast in some spots. Hurricane-force wind gusts, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes are the other noteworthy hazards.

Watching Dorian Carefully

As Dorian causes conditions to deteriorate in the Windward Islands tonight, concern is increasing across the Southeast about potential impacts from this system over Labor Day weekend. While confidence is low about that part of the forecast, it does appear some direct impacts will occur in Puerto Rico midweek. They are especially vulnerable as recovery from Hurricane Maria continues. As of this post, a Tropical Storm Watch was in effect there.