interface at the NLON site. To obtain these real-time observations 

 at NLON, the DAISY array was deployed shortly before the forecasted 

 storm arrival and maintained on station for approximately 9 days. 

 Analysis of this data set provided a detailed picture of the 

 effects of storm passage on the sediment transport system in the 

 vicinity of a dredged material disposal site. The relative 

 infrequency of major storms makes this data set unique within the 

 realm of DAMOS observations. 



Maximum near-surface current speeds in the vicinity of 

 the NLON disposal site equal approximately 7 cm/sec on the 

 westerly flood and 95 cm/sec on the easterly ebb (NOS, 1985) . 

 Freshwater streamflows entering from the Thames River produce some 

 seasonal variations in salinity structure and associated vertical 

 density gradients but generally represent a minor determinant 

 within the local circulation system. 



Winds affecting the area display a regular seasonal 

 variability with southwesterlies dominating during the late spring, 

 summer, and early fall and northwesterlies prevailing during the 

 winter. Major' storms affecting the area tend to be dominated by 

 winds rich in easterly components. Such events can occur at any 

 time during the year but are most common in the early fall and late 

 winter-early spring. 



Hurricane Gloria developed first as a tropical storm in 

 the North Atlantic adjacent to the Cape Verde Islands and then 

 tracked to the northwest towards the continental United States and 

 intensified. As the storm approached the Virgin Islands, it 

 reached hurricane intensity and slowly veered to the north along 

 a crescent-shaped path approximately paralleling the U.S. coastline 

 (Figure 1-2) . On its track along the coast, the storm continued 

 to increase in strength with barometric pressures at the center of 

 the storm falling below 919 millibars (27.15 inches). As it 

 approached Cape Hatteras, the storm was reported to have the 

 potential to be the most dangerous storm of the century. 



On the morning of 27 September 1985, the storm passed 

 offshore of Norfolk, Virginia and continued along a slightly west 

 of north track towards the south shore of Long Island. Barometric 

 pressures at this point were approximately 984 millibars (29.05 

 inches) having risen slightly from the minimum. Estimated maximum 

 wind speeds equalled approximately 19 3 km/h (12 mph) . The storm 

 tracked quickly to the north at speeds of 3 2 to 48 km/h (20 to 30 

 mph) and passed over Fire Island, 64 km (40 miles) to the east of 

 Manhattan, shortly after noon. After crossing Long Island, the 

 speed of advance increased with the storm moving quickly along a 

 west of north track across Connecticut and into Massachusetts and 

 then New Hampshire where it rapidly dissipated. 



Reviews of the available data from the National Weather 

 Service station at Bridgeport and the meteorological station 



