Hurricane Sandy Still Holding Strong
By Justin Drabick
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This afternoon Sandy is located almost 300 miles off the North Carolina coast with 75 mph winds and continues to move northeast away from the coast. But don't let that fool you, Sandy is still expected to turn northwest on Monday, as an upper level disturbance from the Midwest captures the storm.
The initial rounds of rain have begun to arrive Sunday and will increase later Sunday night with gusty winds. Sandy will slowly to continue to lose its tropical characteristics and transition into a very strong Nor'easter. Even if the storm is classified as a Nor'easter, hurricane force wind gusts are still possible.
The storm is expected to move inland somewhere along the New Jersey coast on Monday Night. The official national Hurricane Center track has a landfall around Atlantic City. Other computer model guidance show a little more of northward landfall in N.J. The location will depend on when the upper-level disturbance captures Sandy.
On this track, 5-10 inches of rain is possible with highest amounts in South Jersey and Delaware. Wind gusts over 60 mph possible Monday PM, along with coastal and inland flooding and power outages will occur as well. An offshore buoy off the Delaware coast is already reporting 15 ft. seas. Nearshore waves will reach 12ft.+ on Monday with a 4-8ft. storm surge possible.
