Good afternoon, Hurricane Erin is expected to pass well offshore tomorrow, 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 15-20 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, as well as South County, RI which have had significant erosion over the past few winters from nor’easters.

Hazardous Marine Conditions on the Coastal Waters

• Gale Warnings are 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 Coastal Flooding

• For Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket:
• Minor coastal flooding (up to one foot deep) is expected in more vulnerable low lying areas near Nantucket Harbor, Edgartown Harbor, Oak Bluffs, and possibly Vineyard Haven around high tide late tonight and again late Friday evening. 
• Rough seas up to 8 feet on Nantucket Sound could also bring debris onto coastal roadways such as Seaview Avenue in Oak Bluffs near the seawall.
• These seas just outside of Nantucket Harbor could also bring some deeper flooding (1 to 3 feet deep) to some of the lowest lying areas.
  
  
• For South Coastal Rhode Island (including Narragansett Bay) and Massachusetts:
• Minor coastal flooding (up to one foot deep) is expected in more vulnerable low lying areas around high tide Friday morning and again Friday evening.
  Large breaking waves of 15-20 feet could bring debris onto coastal roadways around high tide.