Storm warnings have been issued for seven states as heavy winds and snowfall hit large swathes of the East Coast and Alaska, respectively.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said in its latest forecast that strong winds would lash much of the East Coast on Sunday with some areas being affected through Monday.
“The major system will start to produce showers and thunderstorms over parts of the southern mid-Atlantic coast northward to New England,” the NWS said.
“Therefore, the WPC (WeatherPrediction Center) has issued a slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the mid-Atlantic into New England through Monday morning.
NWS
“The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable.”
Here Newsweek rounds up the details of the warnings that are currently in effect.
Florida and Georgia
A storm warning is in effect until 10 a.m. EST on Sunday as coastal waters in northwest Florida, from the small town of Suwannee to Apalachicola, 74 miles southwest of Tallahassee, face winds between 28 to 40 mph. Other affected areas include the Altamaha Sound to Flagler Beach and Savannah to the Altamaha Sound, 60 miles south.
Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
The Bay State will have a storm warning in effect from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Monday as gusts up to 63 mph lash its and Rhode Island’s coastal waters. Areas affected include Boston Harbor, Narragansett Bay, south of Providence, and the Gulf of Maine. The NWS said the conditions could damage or capsize vessels.
North Carolina
Storm warnings remain in effect until 7 a.m. EST on Monday as very strong winds and gusts impact the state’s southeast coastal waters which are expected to reach between 34 and 46 mph. The NWS specified coastal waters from Oregon Inlet in southeast South Carolina to Surf City, 200 miles to the northeast, which were under a storm warning from 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon to midnight EST.
South Carolina
A storm warning is in place until 4 p.m. EST on Sunday, with southeast winds between 34 to 46 mph and gusts up to 57 mph expected to hit Charleston and the surrounding areas. Flash flooding warnings have also been issued for the city and surrounding counties.
The strong winds will cause hazardous seas, which in turn could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
The Tri-State Area
The storm warning is due to be in effect from 6 p.m. EST time to 1 p.m. EST on Monday, December 18. Areas forecast to be hit by heavy winds and gusts include the New York Harbor and much of Long Island.
Other affected areas include areas south of Long Island, including Montauk Point, in the east of the island, and Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
Mariners should remain in port, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions, according to the NWS.
Newsweek has contacted the NWS for comment via email.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.