The coastal storm that is expected to bring some heavy rain and strong winds as it makes its way through the region this weekend now has a name.
What had been dubbed “Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen,” by the National Hurricane Center has now formed into Tropical Storm Ophelia off the mid-Atlantic coast.
Ophelia had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, according to the hurricane center’s 2 p.m. advisory Friday. The storm was centered 150 miles southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, and was forecast to make landfall Saturday morning.
The system’s center is expected to move inland over eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia and near the Chesapeake Bay through Sunday, Mike Brennan, the hurricane center’s director, said in a livestreamed briefing on Friday.
Regardless of its status, the storm was expected to have the same impacts for our region, the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, noted in its most recent storm briefing.
Rain, along with strong winds, will hit the area Friday night and continue into Sunday, according to the weather service.
The main concerns from the storm are the potential for localized flooding in urban areas or areas near creeks and streams, and the strong wind gusts, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Brudy.
Forecasters are anticipating rainfall amounts of between 2 and 3 inches for the region from Friday into Sunday.
“It’s likely going to fall over more of a prolonged period,” Brudy said.
The highest chance of rain, he said, is Saturday. Occasional rain is likely to start moving north into the region by morning, with a round of heavy rain possible later in the day, according to the weather service’s storm briefing.
Rain and wind are expected to taper off Sunday night, but there is a possibility the rain will continue into Monday.
Officials are not expecting any flash flooding for the area. Brudy said while there is a possibility for heavy rain this weekend, it likely will not be prolonged hours of intense, heavy rainfall.
The Celtic Classic, an annual Celtic festival in Bethlehem, kicks off Friday. Organizers said on social media that the event is being held rain or shine, however its tartan parade scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.
⚠️🌬️🌧️ The threat and confidence of impacts from the weekend coastal storm have increased. Widespread coastal flooding, strong to damaging winds, and locally heavy rain are expected. View our latest briefing package for details: https://t.co/04fTTyWc3M #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx #PAwx pic.twitter.com/PgUDxu09DU
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) September 21, 2023
Rain won’t be the only threat from the storm. Wind gusts of up to 50 to 60 mph are possible along the coast in New Jersey and Delaware.
While the gusts won’t be quite as high inland, they could still reach 30 to 40 mph in the Lehigh Valley. Downed trees and power lines, along with power outages, are possible, although will be more likely closer to the coast, according to the storm briefing.
The strongest winds will occur mid-morning through early afternoon Saturday, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be dry. Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:
Saturday: Rain. High near 60. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Sunday night: Showers likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
