Tropical Storm Warning Issued as East Coast Monitors Approaching System

Millions of East Coast residents are on high alert as a “potential tropical cyclone” looms in the Atlantic Ocean, prompting the issuance of a tropical storm warning for certain areas. The system is expected to bring tropical-storm-force winds, storm surge, heavy rain, and high surf to significant portions of the Southeast and mid-Atlantic United States coast beginning Friday and extending into the weekend.

As of now, the storm’s forecast track suggests it will affect the densely populated I-95 corridor from Washington, DC, to Boston. Over five million people are currently under tropical storm warnings from North Carolina to Delaware, with the National Hurricane Center cautioning of “life-threatening storm surge” possibilities along the Southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts over the next few days.

Meteorologists are urging residents along the Atlantic coast to closely monitor the storm’s progress, gather necessary supplies, and make preparations for its potential arrival over the next 24 to 48 hours.

The system, located approximately 345 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, as of Thursday evening, is exhibiting the characteristics of a tropical or subtropical storm. Confidence is high that it will officially become one in the coming days.

A tropical storm warning is currently in effect from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware, including various other areas. Tropical storm conditions, including dangerous storm surge, are expected to impact the warning area starting Friday and persisting into Saturday.

The combination of storm surge and high tide could lead to flooding in normally dry coastal areas, posing a “life-threatening” risk. A storm surge of up to 5 feet is possible in certain areas.

Additionally, the system is anticipated to bring heavy rainfall, potentially causing urban and small stream flooding across the eastern mid-Atlantic states from North Carolina to New Jersey from Friday through Sunday.

If the system officially develops into a tropical or subtropical storm, it will be named Ophelia and become the 16th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

Apart from this system, forecasters are monitoring Hurricane Nigel in the north Atlantic and another developing system off the coast of Africa. Nigel, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to weaken and become a post-tropical cyclone. Meanwhile, a tropical wave near the coast of Africa may develop into a tropical depression late this week or over the weekend, although its potential impact on the U.S. or the Caribbean remains uncertain at this time.