Hurricane Erin High surf, wind advisories for Massachusetts, storm to bring wind, waves, rip currents

Hurricane Erin, a Category 2 storm, is expected to remain 325 miles offshore while impacting Massachusetts with high surf and rip currents. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph, particularly on Cape Cod and the Islands, prompting beach closures due to dangerous conditions. A high surf advisory is active for several counties along the southern coast, including Plymouth and Nantucket, with the risk of rip currents extending through Saturday. Meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon warned of waves between 8 and 18 feet affecting south-facing beaches, with strong winds causing potential beach erosion. The Steamship Authority anticipates service disruptions due to the storm.

All south shore beaches on Nantucket and Westport have closed to swimming as a precaution. Forecasters predict an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season, with up to 10 hurricanes expected, half of which may reach major status. Another storm, Fernand, is already developing off the western coast of Africa, with a 60% risk of becoming a hurricane.