Hermine continues to swirl far out in the Atlantic, but the Jersey Shore could still face some coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents on Labor Day.
Like an unwelcome guest who doesn't want to leave, post-tropical cyclone Hermine continues to linger in the Atlantic Ocean on Labor Day morning, packing winds of 70 mph and moving very slowly northward, several hundred miles off the coast of Maryland.
The storm's far distance from New Jersey has prompted the National Hurricane Center to lift the tropical storm warnings that had been in place for the entire Jersey Shore, Delaware Bay and Raritan Bay. Those warnings were replaced by coastal flood warnings, which have now been downgraded to a coastal flood advisory, effective through 5 a.m. Tuesday.
Forecasters say minor coastal flooding is anticipated during the morning and evening high tide cycles on Monday.
In addition, the threat of dangerous rip currents remains high on Monday and a tropical storm warning remains in effect for the coastal waters off the Jersey Shore and Long Island because Hermine is generating "dangerously high seas," with waves as high as 10 to 14 feet, the National Weather Service said in a marine warning statement.
On top of the rough waves, boaters will have to deal with strong winds, said Mitchell Gaines, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's regional forecast office in Mount Holly.
"We're still gonna be dealing with winds of about 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts of 35 to 40 miles per hour once you get out into the ocean waters," Gaines said Monday morning.
Labor Day visitors to beaches along the Jersey Shore could expect mostly cloudy skies and gusty winds, but dry conditions, Gaines said. The further north and west you get from the Shore, you'll find mostly sunny skies and lighter winds.
Monday, Not much of a beach day! @GarySzatkowski @coastalliving @AsburyParkPress @JSHurricaneNews @NWSNewYorkNY pic.twitter.com/ACmJPO42i5
-- Bill Mckim (@belmardays) September 5, 2016
As of 5 a.m. Monday, the center of Hermine was located far off the coast of Maryland, about 360 miles south and east of Atlantic City and was drifting north at only 3 mph.
"A gradual turn toward the north-northwest and northwest is expected to occur this afternoon and tonight," the National Hurricane Center said in its Monday morning update. "A northeastward motion is expected to begin by Tuesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Hermine will meander slowly offshore of the mid-Atlantic coast for the next couple of days."
With sustained winds of 70 mph, Hermine is expected to remain near hurricane strength through Monday night, but will gradually weaken by Tuesday morning, the hurricane center said.
This map shows the projected track of post-tropical cyclone Hermine, as of 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 5 (National Hurricane Center) At Reeds Beach in Middle Township, a small community on the Delaware Bay that flooded during Hurricane Sandy, the roads were clear and the winds were calm on Labor Day morning. Homes raised on stilts were standing high above the water.
Optimistic that the threat from Hermine was waning Sunday night, Gov. Chris Christie directed that Island Beach State Park be reopened Monday at 9 a.m., but the governor noted state officials would closely monitor the storm's track.
New York City plans to close its public beaches on Labor Day because of rip currents, and the ban could extend into Tuesday, depending on weather conditions, officials said.
Long Island authorities urged people to evacuate the popular summer getaway of Fire Island to avoid any storm surge and coastal flooding. Emergency officials warned that anyone who stayed would not be able to leave after ferries shut down Sunday evening.
Hermine rose up over the Gulf of Mexico and hit Florida early Friday morning as a Category 1 hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved across Georgia.
The storm has caused two deaths, inflicted widespread property damage and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people from Florida to Virginia.
Staff writer Erin O'Neill and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.