Hour-by-hour, what to expect from Hurricane Sandy

Updated 9:30 PM

Hurricane Sandy is now around 1,000 miles wide and is considered to be one of the largest tropical storms in history and is on a direct path for the Jersey Shore and the Philadelphia region. Schools are closed, mass transit agencies are shut down, and governments both local and statewide are preparing for the worst.

But what exactly are we in store for? Using the most up-to-date forecasts and models, we're able to provide you with an hourly breakdown of what to expect from Hurricane Sandy.

Tuesday

Midnight: Areas of South Jersey are likely to have been without power for nearly 24 hours as pounding wind and rain continue to beat the region. Flooding will continue to worsen in areas as the heaviest rainfall of the storm beats down.

6 a.m: Sandy begins to lose strength and is downgraded to a tropical storm. Winds and rain, while still being substantial, being to subside.

10 a.m.: While the wind and rain will begin slowing, flood waters will continue to cause damage as the tides change again.

Noon: Philadelphia will still be experiencing dangerous winds of around 40 MPH, but the rain will begin to lighten significantly. Thunderstorms will give way to scattered showers through the afternoon.

6 p.m.: The southern-side of Sandy will still cause damage with wind speeds close to 30 mph but the driving rain will have mostly stopped.

11 p.m.: Wind speeds will gradually lessen overnight and into Wednesday morning. Sandy moves further inland and loses some more power before being downgraded again to a tropical depression. By noon on Wednesday, rains will have stopped. Standing water will still be dangerous but the worst of the flooding will be behind the region. When all is said and done, Hurricane Sandy will have dropped anywhere from six to twelve inches of rain on the area.