BUFFALO, N.Y. — Forecast-wise, Henri will have little to no impact this far west across New York State. But downstate, there is a State of Emergency in place because of the tropical system.
Henri made landfall around 12:15 p.m. Sunday near Westerly, Rhode Island as a strong tropical storm. Tropical storm force winds of 65 mph, a storm surge of 2 to 3 feet, and tornadoes were threats as the storm made landfall.
But flash flooding was always the biggest concern. Torrential tropical rainfall could cause widespread flash flooding with regions receiving up to 7 inches of rain over through Tuesday. Just one of these tropical impacts alone could be devastating to this area of the country, let alone all of them.
Widespread power outages and structure damage from wind and water are serious possibilities. This will inevitably be a historic storm for the region.
But while this is a major weather system moving into the Northeast, Buffalo will barely feel a thing. This doesn't mean our local forecast won't be influenced by this incoming tropical system though. Henri's circulation is large enough that it could have a minor influence on central and even Western New York's forecast Sunday night and Monday.
Now that the tropical storms has made landfall in New England, it will weaken considerably and become less organized through Tuesday.
As this happens, it's possible some of Henri's far outer bands could travel across New York State. But this would only amount to extra cloud cover and a couple showers and storms Sunday night and Monday for Western New York.
So tropical storm impacts will not be felt in this part of the state over the next few days. Unless you could the humidity. Henri will also help block a sweeping cold front from moving through the region Monday, keeping the forecast warm and humid Sunday through Wednesday.