Thursday Insights: Drought Expands In New England + Erin’s Wind & Waves

Today’s Thursday Insights brings important updates on Hurricane Erin, drought conditions, and the weekend outlook.

Hurricane Erin – Offshore but Powerful

  • Still a Category 2 hurricane, Erin remains well offshore, but her influence is widespread.

  • Gusts: Outer Cape & Nantucket 40–50 mph overnight into Friday morning.

  • Offshore seas build 15–20 ft, with buoy reports topping 25–30 ft near the storm center.

  • Coastal seas 4–8 ft with breaking waves, beach erosion, and minor coastal flooding Vineyard & Nantucket tonight & again tomorrow night.

  • High Surf Advisory now in effect for all New England beaches through Saturday.

  • Rip current risk remains high Friday, elevated through the weekend.

Drought Monitor Update

  • Severe drought: Midcoast Maine (Boothbay to Machias).

  • Moderate drought: Expanding in northern NH & VT; persistent on Cape Cod.

  • Abnormally dry: Spreading across Southern New England.

Weekend Weather

  • Friday: Breezy AM, easing PM. Highs upper 70s–low 80s, comfortable overnight lows in the 50s.

  • Saturday: Beautiful summer day, highs well into the 80s with low humidity. Beachgoers: rip current risk still high.

  • Sunday: More humidity, increasing clouds, showers and storms in western/northern New England.

  • Monday: Cold front sweeps through with scattered showers & thunderstorms.

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