Residents of the coastal Northeast are the next in line to feel the disruptive effects from Dorian even as the hurricane lurks offshore.
Dorian is forecast to pass within 150 miles of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and make landfall in Nova Scotia and/or Newfoundland this weekend. A tropical storm warning has been issued for Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.
Dorian is forecast to make multiple landfalls, including along the Carolina coast through Thursday night.
Cruise and shipping interests should monitor the progress and avoid stormy seas off the eastern United States and southeastern Canada into this weekend.
The mid-Atlantic and New England coasts will be spared a direct hit by Dorian as a hurricane with the eyewall forecast to remain at sea.
The storm, currently moving at around 10 mph as of 7 p.m. EDT Thursday, is expected to gain momentum in the coming days.
"Dorian will move off the northeast coast of North Carolina by midday Friday and then accelerate to the northeast," according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.
The jet stream is expected to be strong enough to steer Dorian away from the United States coast and cause the storm's forward speed to increase dramatically.
Tropical storm conditions to buffet coastal areas of northeastern US
While rain and breezy conditions are not likely to extend very far inland over the region, tropical storm conditions are forecast for portions of the mid-Atlantic during Friday and Friday night and southeastern New England during Friday night and Saturday.
In the northeastern United States, the two hardest-hit areas areas are likely to be southeastern Virginia and southeastern Massachusetts due to the proximity of Dorian, which will continue to sprawl as it travels over progressively cooler waters of the North Atlantic.
Even though the core of the hurricane will weaken, tropical storm winds, either sustained or in gusts, will reach farther out with time.
Southeastern Virginia can expect moderate coastal flooding with winds strong enough to break tree limbs and cause sporadic power outages. Frequent gust to strong tropical storm force are possible. Enough rain may fall in short duration to cause street flooding outside of coastal inundation areas.
"A storm surge of 2-4 feet could impact southeastern Virginia, including Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads extending into the southern Chesapeake area," Kottlowski said.
Tornadoes are another concern in southeastern Virginia. Dorian has produced multiple quick, spin-up tornadoes in eastern North Carolina on Thursday.
Minor coastal flooding and beach erosion with stiff winds will spread northward over the Delmarva Peninsula and southern New Jersey during Friday then along Long Island, New York, during Friday night.
Stormy conditions are likely as far north in the mid-Atlantic as Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Montauk, New York.
During Saturday, as Dorian passes by to the southeast, minor to moderate coastal flooding, heavy rain and gusty winds will buffet southeastern Massachusetts. Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the islands should expect strong tropical-storm-force wind gusts.
Even Boston is likely to have a stormy period from Friday night to early Saturday.
During the times aforementioned, motorists may encounter flooded roads and may need to seek an alternate route or risk stalling in rising water and ruining their vehicle. Homeowners and visitors to the region may want to have a flashlight handy in case the power goes out due to occasional strong gusts.
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Coastal waters will be dangerous due to frequent and large waves as well as persistent and strong rip currents into Saturday in the mid-Atlantic and New England into Sunday.
People should avoid standing on jetties as rogue waves can strike without notice, prior to the arrival of any tropical-storm-force winds and wash over the top of the structures.
While rain directly from Dorian will avoid the central Appalachians entirely, weather conditions will improve over the mid-Atlantic region on Saturday and then eastern New England during Saturday night.
Dorian to make landfall in Atlantic Canada this weekend
People should not focus on whether or not Dorian is classified as a hurricane, tropical storm, subtropical storm or tropical rainstorm when it races into Canada this weekend.
"Dorian is expected to transition into a non-tropical storm as it approaches then passes just east of Nova Scotia later Saturday and Saturday night," Kottlowski said.
While there is the potential for Dorian to lose some tropical characteristics as it accelerates northeastward and begins to merge with a non-tropical storm, impact is likely to be similar to a hurricane or compact, powerful nor'easter in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, Canada.
In August, AccuWeather predicted in its Canada autumn forecast that there was a near-average threat for a landfalling tropical cyclone in Atlantic Canada this season.
An eight- to 12-hour period of torrential rain with damaging winds are likely to occur as Dorian approaches and passes over the region.
An abrupt end to the rain is likely once the center passes by with the storm moving along in the neighborhood of 65 km/h (40 mph).
Sporadic power outages and flash flooding are likely.
Waves will batter areas from the southeastern shoreline of Nova Scotia first on Saturday then spread across the Gulf of St. Lawrence Saturday night and on to the coast of Newfoundland during Sunday morning.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert of tropical and severe weather advisories. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV , Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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