In the Atlantic Ocean, a rapidly strengthening hurricane is taking form and creating a source of serious concern for east coast residents. Hurricane Chris has officially become a Category 2 hurricane with winds of over 105 mph but is expected to continue in its acceleration for another 18+ hours. This is the second hurricane in the 2018 season, and it is unusually early in the season for the formation of the second hurricane; typically it’s not until late summer (around late August).
An estimated three to six inches of rainfall is expected to affect Newfoundland, Canada on Thursday night with hurricane force winds extending 25 miles from the eye and tropical storm force winds extending 90 miles from the center of the storm, giving it a good range of influence. The Canadian Hurricane Center forecasts that this storm is likely to make the biggest impact on in southeastern Newfoundland while making landfall in, or just passing south of, the Avalon Peninsula around Thursday night.
While Hurricane Chris continues a northeast travel, it is expected that it should remain offshore of the United States. By Wednesday night, Chris is expected to begin its loss in momentum, placing it in the classification of a post-tropical cyclone by Thursday night.
Although it has forecast a decline in the foreseeable future, that does not negate the need to stay cautious. In addition to flooding, life-threatening rip currents and surf conditions are still a real danger over the weekend for Mid-Atlantic States, particularly North Carolina. So far this year, 15 people have drowned due to rip currents.