Weakened Maria continues on northward track in Atlantic

Monday, September 25, 2017, 7:52 AM - Hurricane Maria continues to weaken and move north, still far away from land but tracking parallel to the US east coast. 

The US National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm warnings  watches along the coast and Outer Banks of North Carolina on Monday, and stated that storm surge flooding is possible in the Pamlico and Abemarle sounds.

"It is likely that some direct impacts will occur along portions of the coast beginning Tuesday," the weather agency said. 

Swells generated by Maria are increasing along coastal sections of southeastern U.S., and could reach the Mid-Atlantic coast on Monday. 

"On the forecast track, the core of Maria will be moving well east of the United States southeast coast in the next day or so" said the NHC in a Monday morning update.

The storm at its peak was a Category 5, and earlier made landfall on the island of Dominica at that strength on Monday night when it entered the Lesser Antilles, making a second landfall later in the week on Puerto Rico.

Torrential rain brought on by Maria has caused the Guajataca Dam in Puerto Rico to fail. Flash flooding in the area has forced the evacuation of over 70,000 residents.

Meanwhile, former Hurricane Jose has dissipated in the Atlantic. However, Lee has re-intensified. It remains a small tropical cyclone, located 1410 km east of Bermuda, according to the NHC's 5 p.m. AST update.

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

• Hurricane Maria is a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h, and was moving north at 11 km/h at 5 a.m. Monday
• Located about 540 km south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
• A tropical storm warning is in effect for Cape Lookout to Duck
• A tropical storm watch is in effect for north of Duck to the North Carolina to south of Cape Lookout 
• A storm surge watch is in effect for Cape Lookout to Duck
• Hurricane Lee is a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds near 150 km/h, and was located 1460 km east of Bermuda at 5 a.m. Monday
• No hazards currently affecting land

Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico Wednesday, tracking across the island through most of the day before exiting back to sea. Though its effects on Puerto Rico are subsiding, swells are likely to continue to affect the island.

For the weekend and beyond, interests along the eastern coast of North America should keep a close eye on Maria’s forecast track. This forecast will be complicated by any interactions that Maria has with the remnants of Jose, which may still be lurking off the U.S. shore early next week.

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SOURCE: National Hurricane Center