Good afternoon, Hurricane Erin is expected to pass well offshore later this week, but some fringe effects will be felt in coastal areas of southern New England: High Surf and Rip Currents - High Surf Advisories are in effect into Saturday for most of the MA and RI coastline. - Ocean beaches with south-facing exposures are most vulnerable and could see 10-15 foot breaking waves. - Water temperatures remain warm and some beachgoers may flock to the waters, which could put more people at risk. - Keep in mind that many beaches no longer have lifeguards for this season - Anyone going to view the surf should stay at a safe distance and off jetties or piers. Significant Beach Erosion - Swell from Erin should result in dune and beach erosion on south facing shores late this week, especially on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, which have had significant erosion over the past few winters from nor’easters. Hazardous Marine Conditions on the Coastal Waters - Gale Warnings are now in effect for most MA and RI coastal waters through Friday. - Gale force NE winds could gust as high as 40 kt on the waters near Cape Cod and Nantucket Friday into Saturday with seas of 15-20 feet offshore. - Small Craft Advisories in effect for Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay and Narragansett Bay. Minor to Perhaps Moderate Coastal Flooding - Coastal Flood Advisories are in effect for Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket for the late Thursday night and late Friday night high tides. - Minor coastal flooding is expected in vulnerable sections of Nantucket Harbor, Edgartown Harbor, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs Thursday evening and Friday evening with a storm surge of 1 to 1.5 feet and waves up to 8 feet on Nantucket Sound. Low-end Moderate flooding is possible near Nantucket Harbor if we see a storm surge closer to 2 feet. - Elsewhere, no significant coastal flooding is expected, but water levels could reach Action stages along both coasts. Maps of the multiple hazards are attached below. Meteorologists Caity Mensch, Kyle Pederson, Andrew Loconto, Joe Dellicarpini and Matthew Belk If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach us via: email: box.operations@noaa.gov phone: 508.622.3280 Slack/NWSChat 2.0 <https://nwschatws.slack.com/> (for approved partners) social media: Website <http://www.weather.gov/boston> | Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/NWSBoston> | Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/NWSBoston>
