Hurricane Matthew to Spare NYC, Forecasters Predict

NEW YORK, NY — The storm threat to New York from Hurricane Matthew eased Thursday as forecasters predicted the storm would likely head out into the Atlantic Ocean instead of hugging the coast. At the same time, the news is not so good for the southeastern United States, which could take a direct hit from the Category 4 storm.

On Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for New York City, as well as much of the Northeast, as it appeared Matthew could hit an area from Florida to North Carolina and track up the East Coast. The track of the storm shifted Wednesday, however, with forecasters predicting more of an eastern course for the hurricane. The Hazardous Weather Outlook was removed on Thursday.

The city is likely to see some showers unrelated to Matthew this weekend, but that low will push the hurricane out to sea on Monday. By 8 a.m. on Monday, the storm will be centered directly east of South Carolina.

"The most likely scenario into next week is for the hurricane to turn out to sea for a time," according to Accuweather. "Whether or not the hurricane will keep moving away or turns back toward the coast is unclear at this time."

Should it turn back next week, the Northeast would again be on alert.

Meanwhile, residents in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina are preparing for the worst. Governors of all four states declared a state of emergency on Tuesday. Accuweather projects the storm will be at least a Category 3 hurricane by the time it approaches the eastern Florida coast on Friday morning.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued evacuation orders to about 1.5 million Floridians on Thursday.

"While the strength of Matthew will fluctuate as it approaches the U.S. coast late this week, it will remain a powerful and dangerous hurricane with threats from storm surge flooding and high winds," AccuWeather hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski said.

The storm did heavy damage to Haiti and the eastern tip of Cuba on Tuesday and Wednesday. Its track took it right through the Bahamas during the day Wednesday and overnight into Thursday.

Tropical Storm Nicole also took shape over the past 24 hours due south of Bermuda.

Photo/Graphics Credit: NOAA