Hurricane Earl advisory Sept. 2 at 8 a.m.
At 8 a.m. Earl was moving toward the north-northwest near 18 MPH but a turn toward the north is expected soon. A turn toward the north-northeast and an increase in forward sped is expected on Friday. On the forecast track, the center of Earl will pass near the North Carolina Outer banks tonight and be very near southeastern New England Friday night.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 145 MPH with higher gusts. Earl is a category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. A gradual wakening is expected to start later today, but Earl is expected to be a major hurricane when it passes near the Outer Banks.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Bogue Inlet, North Carlin, northeastward to the North Carolina/Virginia border including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
A hurricane watch is in effect for north of the North Carolina/Virginia border to Cape Henlopen, Delaware and West port to Plymouth, Massachusetts including Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service