Overnight, coastal New England has received arguably the worst that hugeNortheastern storm has to offer. Close to 2 feet of snow, like what fell inportions of southeastern New York, may be a hassle, but it is not aspotentially damaging as what coastal New England received.Portland, Maine makes for a great example location. Beginning yesterdayafternoon through Friday morning, Portland has received over 3.5 inches ofrain. Not only did they have pouring rain, but overnight the wind gusted to amaximum speed of 64 mph. This was not just one anomalous gust; over the span offive hours the wind consistently gusted over 55 mph.
With the constantly strong wind, the ocean definitely will be rough all alongthe New England coast. Waves will be over 20 feet this morning, slowlysubsiding into single-digit wave heights by Saturday. With such monstrous wavesand strong onshore wind, coastal flooding is a near certainty. The coastalflood threat will subside through the day as wave action and winds diminish.
Further inland, however, there will continue to be a flood potential in areaswhere inches of rain fell overnight.
Story by AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Adam Douty.
