000 WTNT31 KNHC 231449 TCPAT1 BULLETIN Tropical Storm Ophelia Advisory Number 9 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL162023 1100 AM EDT Sat Sep 23 2023 ...OPHELIA MOVING FURTHER INLAND ACROSS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA... ...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS CONTINUE ALONG THE COAST AND INLAND... SUMMARY OF 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...35.6N 77.2W ABOUT 75 MI...125 KM NNW OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT 125 MI...205 KM NNE OF CAPE FEAR NORTH CAROLINA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 355 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...990 MB...29.24 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Tropical Storm Warning from Cape Lookout to Cape Fear in North Carolina has been discontinued. The Storm Surge Warning south of Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina westward along the coast has been discontinued, and the Storm Surge Watch from Surf City, North Carolina to Bogue Inlet has been discontinued. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for... * Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia * Chesapeake Bay south of Colonial Beach, Virginia * Neuse and Pamlico Rivers * Portions of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Remainder of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * East of Cape Lookout, 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 Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1100 AM EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was located near latitude 35.6 North, longitude 77.2 West. Ophelia is moving toward the north near 13 mph (20 km/h). A continued northward motion is expected today, followed by a gradual turn toward the northeast by Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Ophelia will continue moving across eastern North Carolina over southeastern Virginia over the remainder of today, and over the Delmarva Peninsula by tonight into Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Further weakening is expected through the remainder of the weekend, and Ophelia is likely to become a post-tropical cyclone by Sunday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 320 miles (520 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 990 mb (29.24 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Ophelia can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT1, WMO header WTNT41 KNHC, and on the web at hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT1.shtml STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide... Neuse and Bay Rivers...3-5 ft Pamlico and Pungo Rivers...3-5 ft Chesapeake Bay south of Colonial Beach...2-4 ft Ocracoke Inlet, NC to Chincoteague, VA...2-4 ft Albemarle Sound...2-4 ft Chincoteague, VA to Manasquan Inlet, NJ...1-3 ft Upper Chesapeake Bay...1-3 ft Delaware Bay...1-3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. WIND: Tropical storm conditions are affecting portions of the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia within the warning area and will continue spreading northward today. RAINFALL: Ophelia is expected to produce the following storm total rainfall: Portions of eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia...3 to 5 inches with isolated higher totals of 8 inches through tonight. Across the remaining portions of the Mid Atlantic...2 to 4 inches through Sunday. Across southern New York through southern New England...1 to 3 inches through Monday morning. This rainfall may produce locally considerable flash, urban, and small stream flooding impacts, particularly across the Mid Atlantic region from North Carolina to New Jersey. Isolated river flooding is possible in areas of heavier rainfall. SURF: Swells generated by Ophelia will affect much of the east coast of the United States through this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. TORNADOES: A tornado or two may occur today over parts of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next intermediate advisory at 200 PM EDT. Next complete advisory at 500 PM EDT. $$ Forecaster Papin