‘Significant and potentially dangerous’: Here’s what local meteorologists are saying about this week’s coastal storm

“Plan accordingly & take action as necessary towards the protection of life & property."

–Craig F. Walker / The Boston Globe, File
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October 9, 2019

What the National Weather Service is calling a “significant and potentially dangerous” coastal storm is set to bear down on Massachusetts Wednesday through Friday.

With it, the service predicts wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph, particularly for Cape Cod and the Islands, power outages, and between 3 and 6 inches of rain for southeast Massachusetts, with less for the northeast portion of the state.

“Plan accordingly & take action as necessary towards the protection of life & property,” the service said on Twitter.

The service forecasts “strong to damaging winds,” particularly for the coast and especially for the Cape and Islands. Sustained winds are predicted to be between 15 and 30 mph. The winds were predicted to start Wednesday and be at their worst Thursday afternoon.

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“Potential scattered power outages especially w/ trees still fully leaved,” the service said on Twitter. “Can’t rule out some isolated structural damage as well.”

Wind gusts were already building on the Cape and along the South Shore Wednesday morning, according to WBZ meteorologist Terry Eliasen. Nantucket had gusts hitting just over 30 mph.

The heavy rain is predicted for late Wednesday through Thursday, with between 3 and 6 inches expected to fall within a short period of time, the service said. The storm could drop over 8 inches total.

The highest amounts are predicted for the Cape and Islands. Boston is in the 3- to 4-inch range, according to the service.

With that, the service is warning of inland flooding for eastern Massachusetts, especially for the Cape and Islands, plus all of Rhode Island.

There could also be coastal flooding with waves reaching 10 to 20 feet and a 2-foot surge during high tide, the service said. Some roads along the coast could flood as there could be 1 to 2 feet of water inundation. This is a concern for eastern Massachusetts, particularly for Nantucket, and is anticipated throughout high tides Thursday and Friday.

“Flooding would be worse, but tides are astronomically low right now,” Boston 25 News meteorologist Shiri Spear said.

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