Tropical Storm Warning issued for East Coast residents
The next few days will be filled with heavy rain for parts of the heavily populated East Coast!
A tropical storm warning has been issued for those along the coast from North Carolina to Delaware as an approaching storm could develop into a tropical cyclone. The weather update came via the National Hurricane Center on Thursday, September 21st.
Residents within the storm’s reach were advised to buckle up and prepare for the storm’s arrival. The threat was expected to occur between Friday and Saturday, bringing with it the risk of strong winds and flooding, in addition to the impact of distant Hurricane Nigel.
How a tropical storm is brewing, forcing East Coast residents to cancel their weekend plans
Accordingly AP News, The National Hurricane Center announced the formation of Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen, located about 345 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. A report from the center at 5 p.m. said the storm was moving north at a speed of 8 miles per hour (13 km/h).
It looks like a tropical storm or hurricane called Ophelia is about to hit North Carolina.
Watch Lumberton NC which is very prone to flooding.
Already ranked as North Carolina’s most dangerous city for hurricane damage and economy in the past. #Orphelia pic.twitter.com/1Kvl4rlfPb— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) September 21, 2023
A potential tropical cyclone, as defined by the hurricane center, is a disturbance that occurs within 48 hours and carries the threat of a tropical storm or hurricane. The brewing storm could hit the North Carolina coast around Friday night or early Saturday.
Ahead of the storm’s expected arrival, meteorologist Maria Torres, public affairs officer for the Miami-based center, advised residents along the Atlantic coast to stock up on supplies and prepare for the storm in the next 24 to 48 hours. Commenting on the severity of the storm, Torres said:
“This will bring some tropical storm force winds and storm surge along with the strong winds to the East Coast over the weekend, primarily from the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic states.”
The areas the potential tropical cyclone was expected to hit ranged from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. Tropical storm warnings were also issued for the Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach, the Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island, and the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.
Virginia emergency management officials stressed that residents should prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and flooding over the next few days. The dangers didn’t end there, however, as North Carolina Emergency Management announced that the state’s coast would suffer from large waves caused by the distant Hurricane Nigel.
NEW: Potential Tropical System #16 designated in the Atlantic. The NHC preliminary forecast calls for a 60 mph tropical storm to move toward North Carolina this weekend, particularly Saturday evening. A tropical storm warning is in effect with the possibility of a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet. The next name is… pic.twitter.com/H0P05eMu0d
— Matt Devitt (@MattDevittWINK) September 21, 2023
Florida and other East Coast states have been warned of the strengthening Tropical Storm Lee
Weeks before news of potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen arrived, Florida and other East Coast states were preparing to be hit by Tropical Storm Lee. According to the National Hurricane Center, the threat could develop into a hurricane as its strength increased as it approached.
“Lee is not far from hurricane strength and will likely reach that status later today,” the center said in the Sept. 6 update at 5 a.m. “Although it is too early to determine the location and extent of these potential impacts, stakeholders in this area should monitor Lee’s progress and further updates to the forecast.”
Tropical Storm Lee was reportedly expected to reach maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and be located about 1,300 miles east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. The rapid intensification of a storm like Lee’s occurred “when a storm’s winds rapidly increase in strength over a short period of time.”
Scientists defined it as “an increase in wind speed of at least 35 miles per hour in 24 hours or less – a phenomenon facilitated by warm seawater.” At the time of the report, sources stressed that if the hurricane remained at sea, “dangerous surf and rip currents could threaten the East Coast again.”
