The NWS Ocean Prediction Center has issued a Hurricane Force Wind Warning for offshore waters south and east of New England, with north winds of up to 65 knots forecast Thursday night.
That is about 75 mph. A knot is roughly 1.15 mph.
The warning covers waters east of 69W to the Hague Line, between 1000 fathoms and 39N.
The forecast was issued at 11:02 a.m. EDT Wednesday.
Hour-by-Hour Marine Forecast
Today: east to northeast winds of 30 to 40 knots, with seas of 12 to 20 feet and scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Tonight: winds of 20 to 30 knots turn east to southeast at 25 to 35 knots.
Seas build from 11 to 16 feet to 14 to 23 feet.
Thursday: north winds jump to 45 to 60 knots, about 52 to 69 mph.
Seas reach 15 to 30 feet, and thunderstorms could cut visibility to 1 nautical mile or less.
Thursday night is the peak: north winds of 50 to 65 knots, then diminishing to 35 to 45 knots.
Seas run 17 to 32 feet.
When Conditions Ease
Friday: north winds drop to 20 to 30 knots, with seas of 12 to 20 feet.
Friday night: winds of 15 to 25 knots and seas of 8 to 14 feet.
Saturday: winds of 10 to 20 knots, falling to 5 to 15 knots, with seas of 7 to 12 feet.
Sunday night: winds below 10 knots and seas of 3 to 6 feet.
Higher winds and seas can occur in and near thunderstorms.
What It Means on Land
The storm remains offshore.
NWS Boston expects gusty northeast winds across southern New England today and Thursday.
The strongest gusts, 30 to 40 mph, are expected along the coast, on Cape Cod and on the Islands.
Most areas will stay dry. Rain is possible only on the Cape and Islands late Wednesday and Wednesday night.
Marine Safety
Hurricane-force winds are a serious threat to ships.
Mariners should avoid the warning area and check updated forecasts.
Marine forecasts and charts: NWS Ocean Prediction Center. Local forecasts: NWS Boston.
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