Tonight and tomorrow will be the big window. Shear will be really low and environment looks moist.
If this can align then it'll take off fast.
Regardless of what happens the relatively slow moving nature will cause high surge and flooding.
Irene wasn't a hurricane and did tremendous damage.
Yeah on visible it still looks to have a slight westerly component.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the LLC loop into the MLC as shear decreases later today.
Nam is too weak with it which has major implications with how it interacts with trough to the west.
This is why models showing a stronger storm are further west. However if Henri doesn't get stronger than a 75-80mph hurricane then I'd buy it.
C/E LI into CT still seem the most likely to me.
Storm looks west of NHC track. LLC near 74W.
Landfall closer to NYC wouldn't surprise me. Storm slows down and loops on approach which means heavy flooding & coastal impacts.
How severe will depend on how strong Henri gets. A Category 2+ at peak strength likely weakening to 80-85 mph Cat 1 is possible.
Even if they are the threat of significant impacts is real.
It doesn't help that a lot of places got dumped on today and don't forget the high tides this weekend.
I would not discount a west trend. Every coastal or tropical system in the last several years was shoved further west due to a stronger WAR.
If this were a winter coastal I'd still be nervous that it gets tucked in.
System looks decent for being in such a heavily sheared environment.
I'd be preparing if I lived in eastern NE. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Cat 2+ hurricane prior to landfall.