Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Long Island

The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for Long Island.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, forecasters watching Tropical Storm Hermine upgraded the area between Watch Hill, R.I., and Sandy Hook, N.J., from a tropical storm watch to a tropical storm warning. The designation means that storm-force winds and bay and ocean surges were likely to affect the region in the next 36 hours.

"Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Hermine is expected to be near hurricane intensity on Sunday," the hurricane center said in its 11 a.m. alert.

Hermine is expected to become a hurricane late Sunday and meander slowly over the Atlantic until Wednesday, when it will lose strength and begin to move more rapidly and away from shore.

Flooding at times of high tide, as well as heavy surf and dangerous conditions on the ocean are expected through Wednesday.

"The slow motion and large wind field associated with Hermine will result in a long duration of hazardous conditions along much of the mid-Atlantic coast extending into southern New England through the holiday weekend," the hurricane center said.