Hurricane Earl Us East Coast Could See Dangerous Rip Currents This Weekend As Storm Churns Near Bermuda

  The entire East Coast could be affected by strong rip currents this weekend as Hurricane Earl threatens Bermuda, packing sustained winds of at least 90 mph and potentially strengthening to a Category 3 storm.   

  A tropical storm warning is in effect for Bermuda, meaning winds in that area are expected to reach 73 mph (118 km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center.  The area was under a hurricane watch that was lifted Thursday, but forecasters expect winds to pick up Friday, the hurricane center said.   

  And despite the storm being hundreds of miles away from the US, dangerous surf conditions and rip currents are “expected along the East Coast through the weekend,” the National Weather Service said.   

  Hurricanes have the potential to affect the East Coast “even when they stay far enough away that you don’t even notice they’re there,” the weather service warned.   

  “Hurricane Earl is just such a hurricane.  The biggest coastal impacts will be in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast through this weekend,” the weather service said.   

  In particular, these types of hurricanes can produce powerful swells that release dangerous rip currents onto local beaches and coastal areas.   

Great graphic that describes how hurricanes can affect the East Coast even when they stay far enough away that you don’t even notice they’re there. Hurricane Earl is just such a hurricane. The biggest coastal impacts will be in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast through this weekend. https://t.co/pR89zF9XMt — National Weather Service (@NWS) September 8, 2022 Forecasters in Wilmington, North Carolina, also warned that strong storm surges could affect the area at least through Sunday and could lead to “rough surf and minor coastal flooding.”

  Earl was moving north-northeast about 15 mph late Thursday, and Bermuda is expected to get between 1 and 3 inches (25 to 75 mm) of rain by Friday.  The storm has already churned out sustained winds near 90 mph with even higher gusts, the National Hurricane Center said.   

  “Re-strengthening is still possible and Earl could become a major hurricane by tomorrow (Friday),” the hurricane center warned.   

  A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3 or higher storm, meaning it will pack winds of at least 111 mph and could cause significant loss of life and damage, according to the weather service.  Category 3 storms can have winds of up to 129 mph.  The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale measures hurricane strength in five categories based on sustained wind speed.