Irene May Bring Storms to Northern Virginia

Irene May Bring Storms to Northern Virginia

Hurricane Irene is expected to pick up speed and strength today as it turns toward the East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Irene lumbered into the Bahamas at 9 mph Tuesday night and is expected to clear the islands before taking a turn toward the north, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters warn that Irene could grow into a major hurricane today.
The storm's projected path was adjusted steadily to the east throughout the day Tuesday. 

On Tuesday night, the National Hurricane Center reported that tropical-storm-force winds extended up to 205 miles from the center of the storm. For some perspective on the storm's reach, consider that New York City is about 200 miles away from Manassas Park.  

Irene is also packing a storm surge of up to 11 feet, a figure that is expected to grow by the time the storm makes landfall in the United States on this week. Current forecast models from the National Hurricane Center suggest it may run aground in the Carolinas.

Forecasters say cities from the Carolina coast on up to Southern New England need to be on high alert for Irene. 
Local seven-day forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for scattered thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, with wind picking up noticeably during the day Saturday and gusts continuing into Sunday.