Major Nor'easter Impacts Increase While Hurricane Nolo Is Closest to Hawaii and Polo Heads Toward Northern Mexico

The out-of-season nor'easter is strengthening southeast of southern New Jersey. Strong winds along and near the coast from Massachusetts to south of New Jersey will gust to 50 to 70 mph today, tonight and into tomorrow.

Power outages are likely. Some areas near the coast will have to be evacuated so people don't get stranded by flooding.

Strong winds on the north side of the storm have already elevated the ocean levels along the coast. Now the intensifying storm will push them even higher. At high tide, peak water levels at the Jersey Shore are forecast to be just under those experienced in Hurricane Sandy, so significant coastal flooding along the beaches and in the back bays and harbors is expected.

Around New York City, the west end of Long Island Sound possibly including LaGuardia Airport might experience significant flooding at high tide due to the easterly wind developing tomorrow. Flooding along the East River and in southern Manhattan is also likely.

Coastal sections in the entire region from the Delmarva to New England are threatened by the storm. Everybody anywhere near the water needs to pay close attention to the latest alerts from the National Weather Service.

ELSEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC

Tropical Depression Fay and Tropical Storm Gonzalo are both short timers. Now that Gonzalo has passed the Cabo Verde Islands, they won't affect land.

HURRICANE NOLO NEAR HAWAII

Hurricane Nolo is making its closest approach to the Big Island of Hawaii this morning. The strongest winds are offshore, but the tall mountains on Hawaii Island and Maui are exaggerating the impacts and tropical-storm-force and hurricane-force gusts are occurring.

Extremely heavy rain is still possible at the higher elevations, and all that water has to run downhill. About a foot and a half of rain is forecast for the windward side of the Big Island and nearly a foot could fall on the windward side of Maui. Flash flooding and mudslides are possible.

Everybody in Hawaii needs to stay in close touch with the latest alerts from the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

HURRICANE POLO NEAR MEXICO

Hurricane Polo is setting records for endurance. It has been at Category 5 strength longer than any East Pacific hurricane in the record book. Winds are still at a crazy 160 mph. Thankfully, it will weaken significantly by the time it reaches Baja California Sur on Monday. Hurricane Watches are in effect.

By the middle of next week, moisture from Polo will spread across Arizona, New Mexico and into the Plains. Significant flooding is possible.

ELSEWHERE IN THE PACIFIC

Another storm is likely to develop offshore of Mexico and follow Polo north. This one could come closer to the coast.

Between Mexico and Hawaii, Hurricane Odalys will loop and die out, and another storm has a high chance of developing just to its west. Neither system will threaten land directly.

Hurricanes Polo, Odalys, and possibly the future storm will put energy into the ocean which will cause dangerous conditions along the Southern California coast in the days ahead. Significant erosion and some flooding of low-lying areas are possible. Use caution and be aware of local alerts if you're planning to go to the beach.