Potential Tropical Storm Could Strike NYC

[Richard]

(CBS) NEW YORK A potential tropical storm is brewing out in the Atlantic Ocean and could wreak havoc along the East Coast, including New York City, beginning Sunday evening.

The storm has been checked out by hurricane hunters and so far it hasn't been given a name or a number. It's a low pressure system sitting about 400 miles off the Carolina coast.

Over the past 24 hours wind shear has been ripping apart the storm. However, according to CBS 2 HD meteorologist Jason Cali, during the last few hours the shear has diminished and the storm is showing signs of life again.

For several days now, CBS 2 has projected this storm making a U-turn and heading back toward the Carolina coast. Sure enough, the storm now appears to be moving westward and all computer models indicate a very close brush with the United States.

Computer models are creating three different possible scenarios for this storm. CBS 2 HD tropical storm expert Lonnie Quinn has been following the models and has the following analysis:

"In the first scenario, the storm makes landfall in the Carolinas, preventing it from strengthening as it heads up the East Coast," Quinn said. "It could bring heavy rain and tropical storm force winds to the tri-state area."

Quinn said the second scenario is the worst for our area.

"The storm hugs the shore and stays over water, allowing it to intensify, possibly into a category 1 hurricane as it clips the East Coast," he said.

In the third scenario, Quinn said the storm stays off-shore and passes about 200 miles to our southeast.

"In this case, we would probably see gusty winds and some rain, but the bulk of the system would not hit the area," Quinn said.

In any of the above scenarios there's going to be a danger of strong rip currents along the South Shore of Long Island and the New Jersey Shore both Sunday and Monday.

"We should know much more about this storm as it tracks into warmer water and away from the shear," Cali said. "The next 24 hours are critical for this storm. If it reorganizes quickly that won't be a good sign for our area."

CBS 2 and wcbstv.com will continue to monitor the progress of this system. For the latest weather updates, click here. 

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_248185549.html

[Polly]

I'm hoping we get some rain from this storm up here in MA.

[Sily]

Yeah, right now for *us* -- (those of us near the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland) -- the weather forecasters are only calling for rain late Sunday into Monday.  I hope.

[Polly]

That's what I heard, too, Sily.  A tropical storm.  It is normal for us to have the rains in September after a dry August.  Some good rain would be nice.  :-)  Send some to Ohio, too!  The southwest corner is parched!

[Mercy Now]

Thanks Polly:)

Yep! We'd glady take any clean rain anyone could send our way in SW Ohio. We are 12" below normal and the ground is like concrete. People are beginning to drop their horses off at rescue shelters and begging others to take them because they have no more pasture and can't afford the price of hay. Hay is 3 and 4 x the normal price. We were fortunate and got a good cutting which I think should last most of the winter.I manage my pastures pretty well so it's just now beginning to be bleak for me. I spend a good deal of my time watering important trees these days.

Interesting in that I've noticed a whole new crop of cell towers go up last fall and this spring.