Tropical-storm-force system heads to North Carolina; 2nd Atlantic system likely, NHC says
A growing system with winds up to 50 mph that formed off the coast of Florida on Thursday is now targeting North Carolina with a high chance to become a tropical storm before landfall. Meanwhile the National Hurricane Center keeps track of another system as Hurricane Nigel became post-tropical in the Atlantic.
As of 11 a.m. what the NHC calls Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen was located about 255 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina and 200 miles south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina moving north at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 275 miles, and gusts of up to 51 mph have been reported this morning in the Outer Banks.
“Some strengthening is forecast before landfall, and the low is expected to become a tropical storm before it reaches the coast of North Carolina,” forecasters said. “Regardless of whether it becomes a tropical storm, the system is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts.”
As winds pick up, a threat of tornadoes exists along portions of the Mid-Atlantic coast, the NHC said, and areas of North Carolina and southeast Virginia could see 3 to 5 inches of rain with some areas receiving 7 inches.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Cape Fear, North Carolina to Fenwick Island, Delaware as well as Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island and Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach.
A storm surge warning is in effect from Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia as well as Chesapeake Bay south of Colonial Beach, Virginia, the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers and portions of Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. Some areas could 3-5 feet higher than normal.
“On the forecast track, the center of the low will approach the coast of North Carolina through tonight, and then move across eastern North Carolina,
southeastern Virginia, and the Delmarva Peninsula Saturday and Sunday,” forecasters said.
For now the NHC gives the system an 80% chance to develop into a tropical storm.
If it does, it could become Tropical Storm Ophelia or Phillipe, depending on whether or not a system developing in the Atlantic gets to that intensity first.
That broad area of low pressure with showers and thunderstorms that have been showing more signs of organization is located in the eastern tropical Atlantic about 500 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.
“Further development is expected, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days while the system moves generally westward at 10 to 15 mph. The system is then expected to turn west-northwestward early next week as it moves over the central tropical Atlantic,” forecasters said,
The NHC gives it a 70% chance to form in the next two days and 90% chance in the next seven.
Hurricane Nigel, meanwhile, transformed into Post-Tropical Cyclone Nigel located about 640 miles north-northwest of the Azores moving northeast at 37 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
The NHC gave its last advisory on Nigel on Friday morning and it’s no threat to land.
