Tracking Elsa: Tropical Storm Arrives In Tri-State Area Friday Morning, Bringing Wind And Rain
By Giorgio Panetta, CBS2 Chief Meteorologist/Weather Producer
We saw some incredible flooding and damage around the area Thursday afternoon. Radar estimated 2-6 inches of rainfall came down all ahead of Elsa, which will impact Friday morning, especially the AM commute.
Elsa is a Tropical Storm right now south of Washington, D.C., and headed towards Atlantic City, New Jersey. It will bump offshore and should strengthen a bit and skirt Long Island, throwing wind and rain back at the coastline.
As of Thursday night, a flash flood watch and tropical storm warnings are in effect.
Click here for the latest forecast.
The toughest time will be the AM commute. Elsa will pass the metro areas between 5-9 a.m.
Rainfall: An additional 1-3 inches or more is possible, bigger numbers around the shoreline and Long Island.
Wind: Generally, 25-35 mph, with gusts possible to 50 mph.
Timing:
- 11 p.m. Thursday - 3 a.m. Friday: outer bands in New Jersey
- 3-6 a.m. Friday: Elsa slides towards NYC
- 6-9 a.m. Friday: worst of it, rain and wind
- 9 a.m. - noon Friday: storm heads east
Good news, by noon the storm is WELL out of town, closer to Providence, Rhode Island, with sunshine returning.
We cannot rule out a wraparound rogue storm cell as the storm slowly drags the leftovers out to sea.