Earl Weakening; May Bring Hurricane Gusts To Mass.

Hurricane Earl is weakening but the National Hurricane Center says gusts of more than 70 mph are still possible on Cape Cod and Nantucket Island in Massachusetts as the storm moves northeast.

Hurricane Center Director Bill Read said Friday that rain and occasional gales are possible along the Mid-Atlantic as the storm moves steadily northeast.

But the worst weather should be in eastern Massachusetts, where forecasters expect up to six hours of sustained winds over 40 mph as the storm heads for maritime Canada.

Hurricane Earl was a Category 1 storm with winds of 85 mph. It may weaken into a tropical storm later Friday.

The hurricane passed about 85 miles off the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where no deaths or serious damage were reported.