Hurricane Sandy is coming ashore later today, with many areas of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast feeling its widespread and intense effects for some time. Given the present track, similar to previous forecasts, the most likely place for entrained pelagic and Tropical species will be from Delaware Bay north and west into the Delaware River into central and eastern Pennsylvania. The storm is forecast to remain in and near these areas through Wednesday morning, then move north toward Lake Ontario. Most entrained species will probably dropout between the coast and central Pennsylvania. However, all inland water bodies from this area north to Lake Ontario should be considered a hot zone for entrained species, and birders should be watchful from Wednesday through the weekend. Additionally, many coastal areas to the north and east of the center of circulation, as well as inland bays, estuaries, and riverine systems flowing into bays, will have large numbers of displaced near shore species beginning today and continuing through Tuesday. As coastal southerly flow takes effect in places like northern New Jersey, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, typically offshore species that are displaced will begin to appear farther inland than typical. Some indication of this is already apparent in the Hudson River and other places, with reports of scoters and other waterbirds moving north. Another update will come in a few hours. As stated emphatically in previous forecasts, safety is the primary concern. Please exercise extreme caution with this storm system!
11AM EDT Forecast Track, 29 October 2012
