A messy commute was in store for millions Wednesday as heavy rain and strong winds were set for coastal New Jersey and much of New England - including gusts of up to 50 mph. A Nor’easter located off the Jersey Shore was expected to strengthen and slowly move along the New England coast before moving toward the Canadian Maritimes Friday, the Weather Channel said.
Rain and thundershowers were forecast Wednesday from eastern Virginia through central New Jersey, with a separate band of rain in Maine, New Hampshire and northeast Massachusetts and possibly eastern Vermont.
The heaviest downpours were forecast for eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with many areas expected to see up to three inches of rain and some getting five inches, the channel said. Strongest winds are still expected from northeast Massachusetts to south east Maine with sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph and gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
“Minor coastal flooding and beach erosion is possible with the threat maximized along the northern shore of Cape Ann in Massachusetts northeast to southern Maine,” the channel said.