Bolaris’ Weather Watch: Northeast spared Matthew’s wrath

Hurricane Matthew did significant-to-major damage from Florida to Virginia, but it did not deliver the extreme blow that many feared.

Haiti was in the crosshairs and received a devastating strike with over 400 fatalities.

Most of the damage along the Florida coastline from Palm Beach and points north, especially the northeastern coast of Florida was from storm surge, flooding shore towns, significantly damaging structures, toppling trees and causing widespread power outages.

Luckily, the most powerful of the hurricane winds, which exceeded 100 mph, remained about 40-70 miles off shore, sparing Florida a direct hit.

North Carolina had severe flooding, the worst since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Georgia and South Carolina saw major storm surges of more than nine feet, causing major damage along well-populated coastal towns, especially Charleston, and Myrtle Beach.

The Northeast was spared for the most part, except for a rotten weekend with periods of rain, strong winds along the southern New Jersey coast and some tidal flooding.

The chilly, wet weekend stretched all the way up the East Coast through southern New England. However, it will be smooth sailing for this Columbus Day as sunshine will brighten the October skies from Philly to New York City to Boston.

A huge dome of high pressure will lock in the sunshine through Wednesday, with a small wrinkle on Thursday as a weak cool front swings through during the day, bringing the chance of a scattered shower or two. Another dome of high pressure emerges Friday, delivering cooler temperatures. Plenty of sunshine is expected for weekend.

Eye on the Tropics

Tropical Storm Nicole located about 550 miles south of Bermuda could intensify into hurricane status today and possible strike or come very close to the island of Bermuda by Thursday. Nicole poses no threat to the U.S coastline.

New York

Columbus Day: Sunny, 65

Tuesday; Sunny, 67

Wednesday; Mostly sunny, 69

Thursday: Brief afternoon shower possible, 71

Friday: Sunny, 66

Saturday: Sunny, cooler, 62

Sunday: Sunny, late clouds, 67

Boston

Columbus Day: Sunny, 58

Tuesday: Sunny, 61

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, 63