Forecasters say the storm’s «rather large» size means that a tropical storm watch may be needed for a portion of the North Carolina coast.
Jose, downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday, has once again become a hurricane, according to a National Hurricane Center update Friday afternoon (Sept. 15).
The center of the hurricane is expected to stay offshore, at least for the next few days, but forecasters say its «rather large» size means that a tropical storm watch soon might be needed for a portion of the North Carolina coast.
The storm, which has been looping and moving around the Atlantic for several days, is currently about 640 miles southeast of North Carolina, and is moving toward the northwest at about 10 mph. Its maximum sustained winds have reached 75 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. Jose had previously reached Category 4 strength.
Because of the size of the storm, tropical storm force winds are expected to extend well west of its center and could affect the North Carolina Outer Banks on Monday, forecasters said.
«While most of the guidance keep the center of Jose offshore for the next few days, all of the global models show the hurricane becoming rather large by late this weekend as it moves to the east of North Carolina,» the National Hurricane Center says. «For that reason, a tropical storm watch may be needed for a portion of the North Carolina coast tomorrow.»
Chances are increasing that the storm could have further impacts on the U. S. East Coast, forecasters said, «but it is too soon to determine their exact magnitude and location.» The hurricane’s «cone of uncertainty» now includes Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The storm is expected to strengthen over the next couple of days, and then could weaken somewhat starting Sunday.
Swells generated by Jose are currently affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, the northern coasts of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and the southeast coast of the United States. Those swells will spread northward, reaching the mid-Atlantic coast and the coast of southern New England during the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said. These swells are likely to cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions.
