Tropical Storm Ophelia Update Friday Night: Landfall On NC Saturday Morning

September 22 Friday Night Update

This is a brief update on Tropical Storm Ophelia as the storm has ramped up. The burst of energy this afternoon was thanks to the warm water in the Gulf Stream. That allowed the core to tighten up and intensify. But as it approaches land, the impact of drier air and cooler air to the north will affect it.

At the 11 PM update, Ophelia was located 70 miles from the coast of North Carolina. Winds were holding at 70 mph. The National Hurricane Center lead its report with this:

…OPHELIA’S CENTER FORECAST TO REACH THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA

EARLY SATURDAY…

…POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS, DANGEROUS STORM SURGE, AND

LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF EASTERN

NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA..

The storm status and satellite loops are below, First, here is a look at the evening satellite loops, live radar widget, and Mid-Atlantic Warning Maps.

Local Wind Gusts at 10 PM

Peak winds have topped over 45 mph at the Maryland and Delaware Beaches.

The latest gusts have breached 30 mph in Annapolis and Baltimore. They will increase on Saturday and expand farther north and west.

Live Radar Interactive Widget

Amazing Sunset Photos

The edge clouds from Ophelia helped present a spectacular display across our skies. Check out these photos I shared on Facebook, plus many more in the comments. In this case, red sky at night is definitely NOT sailor’s delight.

Friday Night Surface Weather at 10 PM

Satellite Loop

National Hurricane Center Update 11 PM

• LOCATION…33.6N 76.8W
• ABOUT 70 MI…115 KM S OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA
• ABOUT 70 MI…115 KM ESE OF CAPE FEAR NORTH CAROLINA
• MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…70 MPH…110 KM/H
• PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNW OR 330 DEGREES AT 12 MPH…19 KM/H
• MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…984 MB…29.06 INCHES

Closer Look Satellite

Tropical Storm Ophelia NHC Forecast Map

Forecast Animation

GFS Model 5 PM Friday to 8 AM Monday

The storm will make landfall in North Carolina by Saturday morning. Then continue to slowly move north. The heaviest rain will be north of the Low.

As this moves into Maryland, it will weaken quickly. What is left when moving off the coast on Monday morning may still produce showers.

SEE A CLOSER LOOK AND KEY TIME FRAMES BELOW.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

* North of Surf City, North Carolina to Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…

* Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia

* Chesapeake Bay south of Colonial Beach, Virginia

* Neuse and Pamlico Rivers

* Portions of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

* Cape Fear, North Carolina to Fenwick Island, Delaware

* Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

* Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island

* Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…

* Surf City, North Carolina to Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina

* Remainder of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

Storm Surge Forecast: Chesapeake Bay

Local High Tide charts are with the local wind forecast maps.

Local Warning Maps

Tropical Storm Warning

Maryland: Calvert, St. Mary’s, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester.

Wind Advisory: Maryland: Expanded through Annapolis, Baltimore, Bel Air, Elton, to Easton. Also includes Howard and Montgomery Counties.

Parts of Virginia and Metro Washington have been added as well.

Flood Advisories

Coastal Flood Watch: Potomac River up to Washington, DC.

Storm Surge Warning: Southern Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Areas up to New Jersey.

Gale Warning up to Northern Chesapeake Bay: Waves up to 4 Feet. Wind to 45 knots.

Wind Maps AND Storm Surge On The Chesapeake Bay:

Winds will be FROM the Northeast, while water may rise FROM the Southeast. Not perfectly aligned, but converging ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE BAY.

Wind Forecast 8 AM Saturday to 8 AM Monday

Saturday 8 AM

Winds from the Northeast will combat some surge AND help to SLOSH water higher on the WEST SIDE OF THE BAY.

Saturday 8 PM

Winds from the Northeast will combat some surge AND help to SLOSH water higher on the WEST SIDE OF THE BAY.

Sunday 8 AM

Winds from the Northeast will combat some surge AND help to SLOSH water higher on the WEST SIDE OF THE BAY.

Sunday 2 PM

Still gusty, but lighter winds for the Ravens and Commanders football games.

This may be when the wind shifts briefly from the Southeast near the Bay Bridge… Another High Tide worth paying attention to.

Monday 8 AM

The remnant Low may cross Delmarva after losing most of its punch.

High Tide Tables

Three Key Points Of Interest. The High Tide Saturday Night is the one where we may see the highest water.

Additional Tables for Maryland can be generated here: Saltwater Tides

Baltimore: Fort McHenry

Annapolis

Ocean City Inlet

Flooding here is likely all day Saturday

Rain Forecast

Animation 8 AM Saturday to 8 AM Monday

As the storm moves inland, the heaviest rain will be on the NORTH SIDE of the central Low Pressure.

The storm will nearly stall over central Maryland and slowly pivot out off the coast by Monday. It will weaken quickly as it does but showers may stay around.

Saturday 8 AM

Moderate to Heavy rain will be spreading in early and advancing north into Pennsylvania.

Saturday 8 PM

Periods of rain may extend north to State College PA for their football game.

Sunday 8 AM

The center of Ophelia will be getting closer, but also getting weaker.

2 PM Sunday

The broad remnant Low Pressure will keep periods of rain with chilly air (60s) for the Ravens (Baltimore) AND Commanders (Landover) games. But the storm will continue to weaken.

Monday 8 AM

The remnant Low will cross Delmarva. Lingering unsettled showers may continue as this moves away.

Rainfall Forecast POTENTIAL

Computer model guidance is a suggestion. This should be seen as a range and not precise expectations.

With the shift west and slow crawl, the moderate rain forecast has expanded west and into Southern Pennsylvania. This is still subject to change based on how the rain bands set up.

Additional Note On Airline Travel: Plan for delays with this major storm that is now a Tropical Storm. This storm will have high winds at the surface, and even more turbulence aloft.

I do not know how your flight will be affected. I have seen planes fly on schedule in bad weather, and postponed for minimal impact. It is important to consider not only the weather at your airport but also where the plane came from and where it is going.

Any delays or rerouting can cascade like dominoes on an already delicate system.

WINDY WIDGET

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RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.  There has been no editor who can check my work when I need it and have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm.

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