Warning for Tropical Storm Announced for U.S. Eastern Seaboard; North Carolina Predicted for Landfall by Friday Morning

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The National Hurricane Center has indicated that a weather disturbance off the eastern coast of the United States has elevated to tropical storm status, with landfall anticipated in North Carolina by Friday morning.

Late on Thursday, the storm was situated off the coastlines of South Carolina and North Carolina, exhibiting peak continuous winds of 40 mph (approximately 65 kph). A storm surge watch is currently in place, predicting surges ranging from 3 to 5 feet (approximately 91 centimeters to 1.5 meters) in specific areas of North Carolina, according to the center’s reports.

As of Thursday evening, the coordinates for the storm were approximately 355 miles (around 570 kilometers) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and about 395 miles (roughly 635 kilometers) south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The storm was advancing northward at a speed of 3 mph (roughly 6 kph), stated the center.

Although the weather system had attained tropical storm intensity, it had not yet been officially named. The center continued to refer to it as Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen as of Thursday evening. By the center’s definition, a potential tropical cyclone is a disturbance that poses a threat of tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land areas within a 48-hour window.

Maria Torres, a meteorologist and public affairs officer at the Miami-based center, emphasized that residents along the Atlantic coastline should closely monitor the storm’s developments, stock up on essential supplies, and make necessary preparations for its arrival.

“The storm will generate tropical storm-force winds and storm surges along with elevated winds across the East Coast, predominantly affecting regions from the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic states,” she informed The Big Big News.

A tropical storm warning has been declared, covering the area from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. This warning also extends to the Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach, the Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island, and the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Storm surge warnings are also active across various regions, as stated by the hurricane center.

Emergency management authorities in Virginia cautioned residents to expect torrential rains, strong winds, and potential flooding in the days ahead.

Virginia’s Department of Emergency Management disseminated messages via social media on Thursday, indicating that they are working closely with local meteorological services to monitor the offshore system. They urged residents to get ready for impending storm effects that could last throughout the weekend.

In a separate note, North Carolina’s Emergency Management Division warned that substantial swells from the distant Hurricane Nigel would also be arriving at the state’s coast on Thursday, amplifying the risk of rip currents. These swells, coupled with the low-pressure system, could contribute to additional overwash, deterioration of beach areas, and coastal flooding.

The hurricane center predicted that storm surges between 2 and 4 feet (approximately 0.6 to 1.2 meters) are likely. Storm surge warnings have been issued from Duck, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia. This includes the Chesapeake Bay south of Windmill Point, the Neuse River, the Pamlico River, and portions of Pamlico Sound.

In parallel, Hurricane Nigel is progressing toward the colder waters of the North Atlantic as a Category 1 storm. The hurricane center forecasted that Nigel would soon transition into an “extratropical” system and was located around 700 miles (approximately 1,125 kilometers) northwest of the Azores. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (around 120 kph) as of the most recent update on Thursday evening, with no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Nigel.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tropical Storm Warning

More about Tropical Storm Warning

• National Hurricane Center’s Official Website
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management Updates
• North Carolina Emergency Management Information
• The Big Big News Coverage on the Tropical Storm
• Meteorological Definitions: What is a Potential Tropical Cyclone?
• Preparing for a Tropical Storm: Emergency Supplies and Safety Tips
• U.S. Eastern Seaboard Weather Forecast
• Hurricane Nigel Tracking and Updates