Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Our Area

If you don't know Earl yet, you may catch a glimpse of him in this area starting Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The powerful hurricane headed toward North Carolina and other states is forecast to pass approximately 150 miles southeast of Long Island on Friday night, and that could mean showers and thunderstorms for Harrison.

While Eastern Long Island, the adjacent waters and possibly Northeastern Connecticut are expected to be hit the most by Earl, "impacts from a hurricane can be felt several miles away," according to the weather service.

Since a Tropical Storm Watch for Southern Westchester has been issued, keep an eye out for updates and to see if a warning is issued for this area. Any small craft out in the water should go back to a port or seek safe harbor.

And since we are in the middle of hurricane season, County Executive Robert P. Astorino has urged residents to prepare in case we are affected by other storms.

Emergency Services Commissioner Anthony W. Sutton says Westchester residents should do the following to prepare for the storm surges, flash floods and high winds that can come with a hurricane and other violent storms:

• Make a kit – specifically, a go-bag for use in an evacuation and a household disaster kit to enable a family to survive at home for several days without electricity
• Have a plan – a family emergency plan should including deciding where to go in the event you have to leave your home
• Stay informed – keep up-to-date on the progress of any storm and the protective actions being recommended by government agencies in response.

For more info, visit www.westchestergov.com/severeweather, which features a hurricane preparedness video.

Another update will be issued by the National Weather Service at around 1 p.m., or sooner if needed.

Here is your local forecast for the Labor Day weekend, starting today:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 93. West wind between 5 and 13 mph. 

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind between 3 and 7 mph. 

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a light wind becoming northeast between 17 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Breezy, with a north wind between 13 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind around 15 mph. 

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. 

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. 

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. 

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 81. 

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.