Potential '100 Foot' Waves Headed for U.S. East Coast

[orangecrush]

It’s official: Tropical Storm Erin has been upgraded to Hurricane status.

As of Friday, the Category 1 storm (but expected to grow) is moving towards the Caribbean, then it’s slated to curve northeast off the United States’ East Coast by next week – bringing with it heavy rains, flash flooding, gusty winds, and most likely waves.

Regarding the latter, some scientists are predicting potentially huge surf.
.....

Speaking to Newsweek, Jean-Raymond Bidlot, senior scientist in ocean modeling at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), said: “The latest forecast does indeed indicate that the largest significant wave height could reach values in excess of 50 feet with an associated most likely largest wave of more than 100 feet.”

That’s…absurd. Of course, 100-footers aren’t going to be hitting New Smyrna Beach, up to the Outer Banks, and beyond. But there will be swell, that’s for sure.

Meanwhile other experts, like AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva, downplayed the size potential of the waves. Yet still, it’s significant. DaSilva said: “While 100 feet can’t be ruled out, I think they would only be possible if the storm become a Category 4 or 5 storm. I think waves near the center of 50-75 feet are much more realistic (assuming a Category 3 storm).”

https://www.surfer.com/news/hurricane-erin-100-foot-waves-east-coast

?si=DG0PA2H9yH5FqtKX

[TnDem]

1. Clickbait title

Waves were only 20 feet high with a direct hit as a Cat 4 on South Carolina coast in 1989 during hurricane Hugo.

Tsunamis wouldn't have 100 feet waves.

[orangecrush]

2. "Potential"

[miyazaki]

5. Tsunamis have reached a hundred feet in height. nt

[TnDem]

7. This is not a tsunami

Again, direct hit on SC by Hugo in 1989, cat four= 20 foot waves.

[Celerity]

9. You are the one who brought up tsunamis, the other poster was just replying to your claim.

[Oopsie Daisy]

13. Exactly. Blocking.

[malaise]

3. Oops Alex - it's already Cat5

Meanwhile other experts, like AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva, downplayed the size potential of the waves. Yet still, it’s significant. DaSilva said: “While 100 feet can’t be ruled out, I think they would only be possible if the storm become a Category 4 or 5 storm. I think waves near the center of 50-75 feet are much more realistic (assuming a Category 3 storm).”

[orangecrush]

10. Thank you

It's a monster.

[malaise]

12. Weakened overnight

Now 125mph

[Greg_In_SF]

4. 100 foot waves

[GreenWave]

6. Tell the magats those waves are coming for their freedom so paddle on out and shoot them!

[Tetrachloride]

8. Thank goodness for the metric system

[edhopper]

11. The swell sizes

In the middle of the storm, don't translate into the waves that hit shore.
The shape of the bottom is what is important.

[Ursus Rex]

14. I like how it's a private co. quoted for the headline.

As opposed to someone from the NHC or US Weather Service.