Hurricane Earl has weakened slightly this afternoon, as data from the hurricane hunters indicates maximum sustained winds are down to 125 mph. This makes Earl a category three storm, still a major hurricane. It remains a dangerous and large storm. The center is tracking north at 18 mph and should pass east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina later tonight. Earl is expected to continue its right turn to the north-northeast later tonight, as it encounters the mid-latitude westerlies.
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect along the North Carolina coast, where the worst is expected tonight. Tropical storm force winds should arrive by evening along the Outer Banks, with hurricane force
winds potentially brushing the coast overnight. A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch remain in effect for the Virginia coast northward to New Jersey. Virginia Beach may see some tropical storm force winds overnight, as these winds still extend outward up to 230 miles from the center. The outer rain bands and a storm surge of 1-3 feet remain a threat to the southern portion of Chesapeake Bay, where minor to moderate flooding is possible. Significant swells will bring a high risk of strong rip currents through tomorrow. The combination of the storm surge and high surf (large breaking waves are expected to peak at 14 to 18 feet) may cause significant beach erosion along the coast, particularly from Virginia Beach south.Earl will then set its sights on southeastern New England, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect along the Massachusetts and Rhode Island coastlines.
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