Hurricane Sandy has formed, south of Jamaica.  Information from Hurricane Hunter Aircraft shows that the storm has reached hurricane strength.  The minimum is 74mph, but Sandy has sustained winds of 80mph with higher gusts.

The forecast track has changed, too.  The storm is now forecasted to track north-northeastward off the U.S. East Coast. While you may think this is a good track, it’s not.  The storm will likely become non-tropical by early next week, but a large dip in the jet stream over the eastern half of the United States will keep the storm quite strong.

This storm could be just as formidable as a hurricane.  Damaging winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding and beach erosion are all possible with this storm.  It may be time to start thinking about the preparations for a large wind storm.  If you have to make reservations to have boats removed from the water, get on that list.  If you have to clear your yard of lawn furniture still…make time to do it.  While it could still go out to sea, this is a storm that should be on everyone in Southern New England’s Radar. 

-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo