With hurricane approaching US, experts say keep your eyes on the forecast

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff, and Jaime Lutz, Globe Correspondent

After the unusual earthquake today that rattled the Boston area, what else could Mother Nature possibly hurl at residents?

How about a hurricane?

Hurricane Irene may still be days away, but experts are saying that it could impact New England and suggesting that people get their supplies ready.

Dennis Fletgen, a spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, said, “It’s way too early to determine what impacts would be felt in the Northeast and New England by Irene.”

But he said experts had “some concern” that the hurricane could hit this region.

From Maine to Florida, he said, “Everybody needs to be watching” weather forecasts “and make sure they have hurricane supplies now.”

The officials are concerned that because there has been a lot of rain in New England, strong winds could pull down trees rooted in loose, wet soil and the saturated ground could lead to “very, very serious flooding,” Fletgen said.

If a hurricane hits, it won’t happen until early next week. In the meantime, Massachusetts residents will experience a mostly sunny week.

Until Thursday, expect sunny skies, with high temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s. Wednesday will see a slight increase in temperature and humidity from Tuesday’s conditions, but the change won’t be too drastic, said National Weather Service meteorologist Alan Dunham.

Thursday, however, could get pretty humid. And there will be a 40 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon, though that will be due to a cold front -- not Hurricane Irene, said Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton.

Friday and Saturday will be at least partly sunny, with a slight chance of showers on Friday and temperatures for both in the lower 80s.

By the end of the weekend, the hurricane may be bearing down on the state -- or not.

“Basically, people should keep listening to the latest updates out of the National Hurricane Center,” Dunham said.