This morning’s calm and dry weather is the proverbial “calm before the storm” according to National Weather Service advisories issued overnight.
The NWS wind advisory is in effect from 3pm this afternoon to 9am Thursday. Expected are south to southeast winds from 25 to 35mph with gusts up to 45mph. These winds are expected to increase late this afternoon and reach their peak tonight and into early Thursday morning. Winds are then expected to slowly diminish Thursday.
Along with the winds comes the forecast for heavy rains at the same time (endearingly referred to as “horizontal rain”). Between a half and three quarters of an inch of rainfall are expected tonight according to the forecast.
And for neighbors living or working on the Sound, a coastal flood advisory has been issued forewarning of minor tidal overflow. This is likely around Thursday morning’s high tide just after 6am. The high tide is forecast for 9.5 feet. But due to the unusually low atmospheric pressure (which will bring the high winds), an additional 2 feet increase is expected yielding a net 11.3 foot high tide forecast.