Hurricane Jose Staying East Of U.S. Coast, Forecast To Weaken

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Hurricane Jose is maintaining its status as a Category 1 while moving to the east of the United States.

A continuing of dangerous surf and rip currents is expected to continue along the east coast of the U.S. for several days.

At 5 p.m. Jose was located about 270 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

The storm is moving to the north at eight miles per hour.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Woods Hole to Sagamore Beach, including Cape Cod
* Block Island
* Martha's Vineyard
* Nantucket

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* The coast of Long Island from Fire Island Inlet to Port Jefferson

. On the forecast track, the center of Jose is expected to pass well offshore of the Delmarva peninsula later tonight, pass well to the east of the New Jersey coast on Wednesday, and pass offshore of southeastern Massachusetts by Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts.  Little change in strength is expected tonight, but Jose should begin to gradually weaken on Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 310 miles.

A ship located about 170 miles west of the center of Jose recently reported a sustained wind of 46 mph.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND:  Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in the warning area early Wednesday.  Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area beginning tonight.

SURF:  Swells generated by Jose are affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, and much of the U.S. east coast.  These swells are likely to cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions for the next several days in these areas.  For more information, please consult products from your local weather office.

RAINFALL:  Jose is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches over eastern Long Island, southeast Connecticut, southern Rhode Island, and southeast Massachusetts. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected for Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod through Wednesday. This rainfall could cause isolated flooding.