5 PM EDT Sandy Update

Sandy is losing it's Hurricane characteristics as it get absorbed into a much larger circulation, the Nor ' Easter. The bigger one is what will bring in the high storm surge tonight. Right now, Sandy is located about 40 miles south of Atlantic City, NJ. Looking at the latest satellite and radar imagery, landfall will be over Cape May/Delaware Bay in an hour or so. Winds are sustained at 90 mph, and the strongest winds will likely be in Cape May from what is left of Sandy's circulation. Sandy is moving WNW at 28 mph. The pressure is still an impressive 940 mb. If Sandy makes landfall at that pressure, that would be a record for a land falling storm in the Northeast U.S.!

Again, all preparations should be completed! Watch for rapidly rising water along the NJ, NY, Delmarva, CT, RI and MA Coasts! Winds will continue to increase both on the coast and inland during the next few hours and overnight. Expect 50-75 mph winds along the coast and 30-50 mph winds inland! At 4:30 PM EDT Tuckerton, NJ reported a wind gust to 88 mph! It's will cause numerous trees and power lines to come down with widespread power outages. The power could. Be out for days since linesmen can not work on the lines until the winds are light and the trees are cleared off the lines.

Heavy rain will continue with rain totals for the coast to inland in PA, NJ, MD, WV and Eastern NY could be around 5-10 inches. This will cause a rise on streams and rivers...watch out for flash flooding!

Stay safe and informed. Be sure to follow my updates and local media. Listen to local officials, if they tell you to leave, then do it! I'll continue to post updates tonight and tomorrow on Facebook and my weather blog. -Dave

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