Satellite images show storms and showers off the southeast US coast on the 21st of September 2023. The expected coalescence into a coastal storm which will impact those along the Eastern Seaboard into the weekend.
An advisory for tropical storms has been issued for areas of the North Carolina and mid-Atlantic coasts in anticipation of an growing storm that could bring strong storms, heavy rain, dangerous rip currents, and coastal flooding to areas ranging from Florida up to New England as it tracks north towards the coast through the weekend.
The low pressure area known as Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 by the National Hurricane Center, currently has a speed of 35 mph off the coast to the east of Florida. The storm is expected to grow into an a tropical storm on Friday, as it moves towards its North Carolina coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Based on the time it’s designated it could be named Ophelia or Philippe.
This tropical storm alert was issued from north from Wilmington, North Carolina, up to the Maryland-Delaware state border. Tropical storm-force winds could hit at North Carolina as soon as Friday, and then move into the mid-Atlantic by Saturday.
A warning for storm surge is also in effect for portions of the same coast, with up to 4 inches of surge conceivable starting from Surf City, North Carolina up to at the Virginia Tidewater.
It was gradually gathering on Thursday, causing storms and rain to rise to life in areas the Florida’s Northeast coast, as well as the southeastern part of Georgia. Conditions of a brisk breeze also intensified and aggravated sea conditions, however, the worst of the storm is expected to occur this weekend.
A miserable weekend of weather is that is originating via East Coast storm
Widespread rain
As the storm’s coastal path gets more organised on Friday, the rain will begin to shift towards regions that are located in regions of Carolinas along with Virginia. The rainfall will cover hundreds of miles away from its central point as it travels across the north throughout the weekend. It will soak portions of the mid-Atlantic region during the day on Saturday, and possibly even portions in New England by Saturday night.
The heaviest rain will remain mostly restricted to areas close to the coastline, but those living in the interior will need to contend with the unpredictable weather that could cause disruption to outdoor plans.
The highest risk of flooding and heavy rain is likely to be found in eastern North Carolina, with totals of 4 to 6 inches most likely.
2 to 4 inches of rain over the weekend through Sunday could affect an even larger portion across the east of US all the way from North Carolina to New Jersey and New York. Even the southern part of New England and inland areas such as Pennsylvania may see 1 to 2 inches rain over the weekend.
Strong winds
Additionally, the speed of wind will increase for coastal areas on Friday that could reach 30-40 miles per hour, with greater speeds likely closer towards the middle of the storm.The strongest winds are predicted to arrive Friday in parts in the Carolinas and will continue to move northward throughout the middle Atlantic through the weekend, from Friday to Saturday.
These gusts of wind, combined with rainy ground, can cause trees to fall that could result in damages to property as well as power interruptions.
Coast threats
As the storm heads towards the north, the threat of dangerous rip currents is increased along the East Coast as itchurns up dangerous seas. The weather agency warned of a risky rip currents heading into the weekend, for parts of the coast that stretch starting from Florida up to New Jersey.
Flooding in the coastal zone is also possible for areas in North Carolina northward into New Jersey as the storm makes its way towards the coast over the weekend. Moderate-to-major flooding is expectedfor many areas of areas along the Virginia Tidewater and along Delaware Bay on Saturday, as the storm’s powerful winds push water into rivers along the coast.
In areas where massive flooding takes place, a number of roads, commercial and residential properties could be flooded according to NOAA.
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