No. Noooooo. NO. NO. NO.

Forecast guidance is indicating that the steering pattern for Sandy is setting up to be a potential major concern for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

A so-called "blocking pattern" in the upper levels of the atmosphere over the Atlantic appears to be strong enough that it most likely will not allow the storm to turn east into the open Atlantic, but, rather, drive northward just off the East Coast.

In addition, an upper-level trough in the polar jet stream could provide an additional turbo-charged boost to this low, producing an intense, East Coast storm.

If this scenario plays out as illustrated above, high winds, heavy rain, major coastal flooding and beach erosion could pummel portions of the Northeast seaboard early next week. Of course, the high winds would extend inland, with the potential for downed trees and powerlines.

This setup could even wrap in just enough cold air on its western edge to produce wet snow, possibly heavy, in some areas of the eastern Great Lakes and Appalachians!  Eerily, this would take place around the one-year anniversary of the "Snowtober" snowstorm. 

That said, the details on the magnitude and the exact location of the potential impacts described above are highly uncertain at this time.

Residents of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic should remain vigilant and be prepared to take action in the next few days.