Hurricane Dorian Could Bring Major Rain, Wind To New Hampshire

Even as it threatens hundreds of thousands along the southeastern part of the country, Hurricane Dorian will spend much of this week ruffling waters along the New England coast coast before it barrels past and drenches much the region at the end of the week. The hurricane, which has been downgraded to a still-powerful Category 2, is expected to present itself as something of a strong nor'easter.

Dorian will probably move past New England at the end of the week, from Friday night into Saturday, according to forecasters. The National Weather Service said Tuesday morning that parts of the region could see more than 4 inches of rain in 12 hours and wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour, with a particularly high risk along the coast and in places like Nantucket.

The National Hurricane Center indicated there is a chance the winds could reach tropical storm-level. Massachusetts and Rhode Island are seeing about a 30 percent chance of such wind gusts, while Southern New Hampshire is seeing about a 10 percent chance.

The lead-up to the week will see some serious swells and dangerous surf conditions along the coast as the storm churns south of us. A hazardous weather outlook is being issued for the southeastern coast of Massachusetts.

Dorian is currently battering the Bahamas, where at least five people have died and many more injured. It's expected to move what forecasters are calling "dangerously close" to Florida Tuesday night into Wednesday night before making its way toward the George and South Carolina coasts.