Hurricane Sandy Forecast Predicts Highest Sustained Wind Speeds In Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey (MAP)

Hurricane Sandy's forecast predicts intense winds for much of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Tuesday, with the highest sustained winds expected to hit Maryland, Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

NOAA data interpolated by The Huffington Post predicts gusts of 70 mph in Asheville, N.C., and 60 mph in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore for tomorrow afternoon as the 900-mile megastorm moves inland.

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The Cleveland area may also experience sustained winds in excess of 40 mph as Sandy bisects Pennsylvania and moves northward across western New York state.

On Monday, gusts exceeding 60 mph were reported in parts of Maryland, as the mid-Atlantic region braces for the storm's landfall, which is expected to occur in the vicinity of Atlantic City, N.J. early Monday evening.

The Washington Post reports that sustained wind speeds at Sandy's core reached 90 mph by 2:20 p.m., Monday.

Tropical storm-force winds extend almost 500 miles from Sandy's center, making it almost 1,000 miles in diameter, NASA reports.

In addition to dangerous winds, flooding due to rain and the storm's surge has already been reported in Atlantic City, where parts of the seaside town's iconic boardwalk have reportedly washed away.

Fox News reports that an 11-foot storm surge threatens to flood lower Manhattan, as well as low-lying regions of Long Island.

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