Connecticut Could Start To See Large Swells Friday Night

Update Thursday at 8 a.m.

A hurricane watch has been issued for the North Carolina coast from north of Surf City to the North Carolina-Virginia border including the Pamlico, Albemarle, and Currituck Sounds, the National Weather Service says. A tropical storm watch has been issued from north of Edisto Beach, SC to Surf City, NC.

"Swells generated by Irene will begin affecting portions of the coast of the southeastern United States today," the National Weather Service said. "These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."

As of 8 a.m. the center of Irene was located near latitude 25.5 north and longitude 76.5 west. For information on how to track a hurricane, "A turn toward the north-northwest is expected today, followed by a turn toward the north by early Friday. On the forecast track, the core of the hurricane ... will pass well offshore of the east coast of central and north Florida tonight and early Friday."

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph, with higher gusts, with hurricane-force winds extended out 70 miles from the center and tropical force winds extending out 255 miles, the National Weather Service says.

Original story posted Wednesday night:

The National Weather Service is predicting coastal Connecticut might start to feel some effects from hurricane Irene Saturday night into Sunday night. And it's not year clear how significant an event it will be for Madison and surrounding towns.

"The exact timing is still uncertain," the National Weather Service says. "But heavy rain causing flooding, strong winds, and coastal flooding likely will begin as early as Saturday night."

Madison also might experience significant beach erosion, which could begin as early as Friday night "as large swells from Irene begin to arrive."

Time to review your plan

"Now is the time to be reviewing your hurricane plan, and to consider the steps necessary to implement this plan within the next couple of days," the National Weather Service said.

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, the eye of Irene was located near latitude 23.8 north and longitude 75.4 west, the National Weather Service said. She was moving toward the northwest at about 12 mph and a turn was expected toward north-northwest, and then toward the north.

Maximum sustained winds Wednesday night were about 120 mph, with some higher gusts. "Irene is a Category Three hurricaneo on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale," the National Weather Service said. "Some fluctuations in intensity are liekly during the next several hours, but some strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. Irene could become a Category Four hurricaneo n Thursday."

The National Weather Service says hurricane force winds extend out up to 70 miles from Irene, and tropical force winds extend out up to 255 miles.

Forecast for Madison

The extended forecast for Madison is as follows:

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South wind between 11 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind between 5 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light south wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 73. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.