Henri could bring 2 to 5 inches of rain to southern New England, up to 8 inches in isolated areas

The odds of southern New England seeing strong winds and rain early next week continues to increase.

According to a statement by the NOAA, Henri is forecast to be near the northeast coast of the U.S. on Sunday and Monday, and the risks of storm surge, wind, and rain impacts in portions of southern New England and eastern Long Island are increasing. Watches will likely be issued early Friday.

At 5 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Henri was located over the Atlantic Ocean about 450 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and about 800 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Henri is moving toward the west near 10 mph and this motion is expected through Thursday night. A turn toward the northwest is forecast on Friday, foldilowed by an acceleration toward the north and north-northeast Saturday and Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Henri will remain well offshore of the east coast of the United States during the next couple of days, but it is forecast to be near southern New England on Sunday and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds for Henri are currently near 65 mph with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center. Little change in strength is expected during the next 12 to 24 hours, but Henri is forecast to intensify into a hurricane by Friday night with additional strengthening expected this weekend, according to the NOAA.

Swells generated by Henri should continue to affect Bermuda during the next day or so. Swells are expected to increase across much of the east coast of the U.S. and Atlantic Canada later this week and this weekend. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

NOAA states that Henri may produce rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches over southeastern New England Sunday into Monday, with isolated maximum totals near 8 inches. Heavy rainfall from Henri may result in areas of flash, urban, and small stream flooding.