Tropical Storm Ophelia forms off the coast of the Carolinas

ORLANDO, Fla. — Update:

Tropical Storm Ophelia formed Friday afternoon off the coast of the Carolinas

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The system has sustained winds in excess of 60 mph and is producing widespread wind, rain and surge for the United States’ mid- and upper-east coast, chief meteorologist Tom Terry said.

Certified meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said the storm will affect the southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states this weekend.

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“Heavy rain could lead to flash and urban flooding from North Carolina to New Jersey,” she said. “Large storm surge is possible for the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds as well as the Chesapeake Bay.”

At Central Florida’s beaches, seas will remain dangerous.

Life-threatening rip currents and rough seas are expected, with a small craft advisory in place until 8 p.m. Saturday, Crimi said.

Terry will update you on the latest local impacts, starting at 4 p.m. on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

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Post-tropical cyclone Lee: Waves crash ashore from Post-tropical cyclone Lee on Saturday in Lubec, Maine. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Afternoon forecast: Friday, Sep. 22 Afternoon forecast: Friday, Sep. 22

Earlier story:

Channel 9 meteorologists are tracking several storm systems in the Atlantic.

Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 is forecast to intensify as it moves north to the mid-Atlantic states on Friday and Saturday.

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The system is moving north at 14 mph and has maximum sustained winds of around 50 mph.

It is forecast to become a named storm and will be called Ophelia if it does.

PTC 16 is forecast to directly impact North Carolina and Virginia over the weekend.

Though the system is not headed towards Florida, it will still increase our rip current risks and rough seas at the coast.

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Another system near Africa could get named in the next few days.

It’s still too early to know for sure, but that system is projected to curve away and stay away from Florida.

Watch: Stranded window washers escape to balcony of downtown Orlando high-rise amid severe weather

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Hurricane season names These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates:

• Chief meteorologist Tom Terry
• Kassandra Crimi
• George Waldenberger
• Brian Shields

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