Tropical Storm Arthur became the Atlantic Ocean’s first hurricane of 2014, but the storm will be well out to sea when it passes Ocean City on Friday (July 4) as a Category 2 (96 mph winds).
The storm is expected to produce rough surf for Ocean City, but it is not expected to otherwise affect the holiday weather.
As of Thursday afternoon, Arthur had sustained winds of 90 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen overnight an pass the Carolinas early Friday morning.
Forecasters predict a hurricane track that will take Arthur parallel to the East Coast of the United States. It could pass close enough to bring rain to the Southeast, but it will arc away from land as it moves northward, passing Ocean City’s latitude at some time on Friday.
A separate front is expected to bring rain storms to Ocean City overnight Thursday and possibly early Friday.
Arthur’s primary effect will be heavy surf. Local surf shops are predicting 5- to 6-foot swells on Friday and into Saturday morning. Local winds will be northeast on Friday.
Conditions will be good for surfers, but bathers will be asked to swim only at protected beaches, where Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguards will keep a tight rein on holiday crowds.
