The potent storm system off the Atlantic coast of the United States is expected to cause coastal impacts along the Eastern Seaboard, from New Jersey to Florida, as early as Tuesday, May 10.
Meteorologists issued a forecast that the system could bring heavy rain and strong winds.
Coastal Storm Update
AccuWeather meteorologists have issued their updated weather forecast regarding the potent storm system off the East Coast and over the Atlantic Ocean.
The weather forecast update suggests that the storm could impact the US eastern coastal areas from Tuesday.
The impact may be felt from the New Jersey coast to the North Carolina Outer Banks in the form of gusts with maximum sustained winds of up to 40 to 55 miles per hour (mph).
Stiff winds between 15 and 30 mph may continue until mid-week.
These adverse weather conditions can also stretch hundreds of miles to the south along the Atlantic coast, as far as South Carolina, Georgia, and even northeastern Florida, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Sosnowski added that warmer water is a crucial ingredient in the development of tropical systems and that a developing storm that possesses tropical traits but maintains a resemblance to non-tropical conditions is called a subtropical system.
In relation to Sosnowski's statement, AccuWeather meteorologists initially issued a forecast that the "slow-moving storm system" can either turn into a tropical depression or coastal low off the Atlantic coast later this week, from Thursday to Saturday, May 12 and May 14.
Also Read: US Weather Forecast: Coastal Storm to Bring Heavy Rain and Snow in New England
Hazards in Coastal Areas
The most notable weather hazards or coastal impacts posed by the approaching system are strong rip currents, rough surf, coastal flooding, and beach erosion, according to the said AccuWeather forecast.
For hotspot areas, AccuWeather provided a list of locations that will most be likely affected by some of these coastal impacts:
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Rehoboth, Delaware
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Morehead City, North Carolina
- Charleston, South Carolina
The meteorologists advise that people in these areas must prepare for possible coastal flooding caused by prolonged onshore winds and above-average tides.
For eastern Virginia and North Carolina, coastal flood warnings have been reportedly issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Weather Service (NWS).
As the week progresses, the storm is expected to cause showers and on-the-spot thunderstorms onshore from southern New Jersey to northern Florida. Citing the U.S. Drought Monitor,
AccuWeather says rainfall will be beneficial to the Southeast coast later this week since the region is experiencing moderate drought.
US Hurricane Forecast
AccuWeather has also issued their Atlantic hurricane season outlook for 2022, highlighting there will be about 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes, three to five major hurricanes, and four to six will have a direct impact on the US.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the NOAA, the Atlantic hurricane season approximately spans from June 1 to November 30. As of the latest reports, the NOAA - NHC confirms there are currently no hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean and central-northeastern Pacific Ocean at this time.
Related Article: US: Potent Storm System Can Develop Into a Tropical Depression Off the Coastal Atlantic
