A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the Connecticut shoreline from New Haven on east to the Rhode Island border.

The National Hurricane Center issued the warning at 11 a.m. Thursday, as Hurricane Earl continued on a track to bring it very close to Southern New England by Friday. The NHC also posted a Hurricane Warning for parts of Massachusetts, including Cape Cod.

Earl weakened to a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds and heavy rain as it moved in on North Carolina's Outer Banks Thursday evening, the NHC said.  

National Weather Service meteorologist Hal Austin said the eye of the hurricane is expected to get as close as 55 miles east of the Outer Banks at about 2 a.m. ET Friday. The coast is expected to be lashed by winds of more than 74 mph for a couple of hours. 

Austin said that most wind hitting land will be the strength of a tropical storm, or in excess of 39 mph, with some stronger gusts. 

There will be a similar close point of approach for the eastern tip of Long Island, Rhode Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

"They'll be facing a similar scenario that North Carolina is facing today," NHC Director Bill Read said. "And it will be bigger. The storm won't be as strong but they spread out as they go north and the rain will be spreading from New England."

For Connecticut, that will most likely mean strong winds and very heavy rains, especially in the eastern part of the state. With leaves still on the trees, the strong winds could mean fallen trees and downed powerlines.

With Connecticut under a Tropical Storm warning, Gov. M. Jodi Rell asked President Obama to issue a "pre-landfall" declaration of emergency Thursday.

The Governor's request seeks federal funding for efforts to ensure public safety and security during the storm.

"Whether the storm arrives as a full-on hurricane or as relatively milder rains and strong winds, state and local governments have a critical responsibility to ensure the safety of our residents," Gov. Rell said. "This request for a federal emergency declaration will make sure that Connecticut taxpayers will not have to bear the costs of these measures."

"This is the strongest hurricane to threaten the northeast and New England since Hurricane Bob in 1991," National Hurricane Center Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen also said on Thursday.

The winds could be far worse on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The storm could pass just off the eastern shore of the cape, bringing hurricane force winds to the area.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Connecticut

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