Invest 99L could become subtropical as coastal storm hits East Coast with strong wind, heavy rain this weekend
Forecasters will be keeping their eyes on Invest 99L to see if it develops into something tropical. However, regardless of whether this storm system gets named, impacts will be widely felt up and down the East Coast from Florida to Maine.
Invest 99L designated off Southeast coast
Forecasters will be keeping their eyes on Invest 99L to see if it develops into something tropical. However, regardless of whether this storm system gets named, impacts will be widely felt up and down the East Coast from Florida to Maine. Invest is a naming convention used by the NHC to identify areas meteorologists are investigating for development into a tropical depression or storm in the next 5 days.
Invest 99L was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen on Thursday morning. Follow our coverage of Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen here.
A coastal storm associated with a dip in the jet stream over Florida is expected to spin up off the southeastern coast of the U.S. starting on Thursday.
Forecasters will be keeping their eyes on Invest 99L to see if it develops into something tropical. However, regardless of whether this storm system gets named, impacts will be widely felt up and down the East Coast from Florida to Maine.
Invest 99L is being monitored for development off the southeastern coast of the U.S. Right now, the National Hurricane Center is giving the system a medium chance of development.
(FOX Weather)
An "invest" is simply a naming convention used by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to identify areas that they are investigating for possible tropical development within the next week.
Invest 99L and the eventual coastal storm will initially be getting its energy from a stalled-out front that has been sparking numerous showers and thunderstorms across Florida all week. But when the low-pressure system starts to get its act together, it may be able to start to feed off the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Watch: Lightning flashes, thunder rumbles in North Port, Florida
A video posted to social media shows powerful storms that raced across North Port, Florida on Wednesday. A stalled out front sparked numerous showers and thunderstorms across Florida this week.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, because the system won’t be pulling all of its energy from the warm ocean water, it may not be upgraded to a tropical depression or tropical storm. Instead, the FOX Forecast Center says it may be declared a subtropical depression or storm.
If sustained winds reach at least 40 mph, it would become a subtropical storm and be named Ophelia.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL STORM AND SUBTROPICAL STORM?
Coastal storm to impact the Southeast with heavy rain, strong winds
(FOX Weather)
"People need to not get hung up on the whole ‘does this get a name?’ thing," FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "Because the impact really does not change."
The FOX Forecast Center expects impacts from the storm system to begin on Friday as it spins closer to the Southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts.
Watch: Beautiful sunrise spotted in North Carolina as mid-Atlantic braces for coastal storm
A stunning view of the sunrise was captured in Avon Beach in North Carolina on Thursday morning. The area is expected to see worsening conditions this weekend as a coastal storm develops off the southeastern coast of the U.S.
Several inches of rain is expected to fall from Florida to the Northeast and New England during the event, and strong winds pushing in from the ocean could lead to coastal flooding.
Power outages are also a concern due to the whipping winds that could bring down trees onto power lines.
(FOX Weather)
Winds along the Southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts could gust to tropical storm force (39 mph or higher) as the system meanders northward.
The strongest wind gusts will likely be felt closer to the ocean, like in Virginia Beach in Virginia and Wilmington and Hatteras in North Carolina.
(FOX Weather)
The coastal storm has also prompted the National Weather Service to issue Gale Watches and Warnings up and down the East Coast.
Winds off the coast could gust to between 35 and 45 mph with waves that could reach between 8 and 14 feet.
"Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions," the NWS warned. "Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions."
FLOOD WATCH, WARNING EMERGENCY: HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE
(FOX Weather)
Several inches of rain could fall through the end of the weekend. Inland areas of the mid-Atlantic will likely see lesser amounts. However, as you get closer to the coast, totals will be much higher.
Between 3 and 5 inches of rain could fall from Wilmington, North Carolina, to the Delmarva Peninsula.
The FOX Forecast Center believes 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall in places like Washington, Richmond in Virginia and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
Northeast, New England braces for impact from weekend coastal storm
(FOX Weather)
Anyone with outdoor plans this weekend in the Northeast and New England should consider bringing them indoors.
The coastal storm will slide up the East Coast starting Saturday, putting millions of people along the Interstate 95 corridor from the mid-Atlantic northward at risk of seeing the impacts from the system.
More heavy rain and strong winds are likely, raising the chances for coastal flooding, flash flooding and power outages.
Cities like Philadelphia, New York City, Providence in Rhode Island and Boston will likely see some heavy rain from the system.
And what New England doesn’t need is more rain. Places like Hartford, Connecticut, are seeing a surplus of nearly a foot of rain for what is average for this time of year.
So, with the already-saturated ground, there is a concern for flooding in those areas.
(FOX Weather)
"Saturday looks to be probably the biggest impact day in terms of the strongest winds and probably the majority of the rain," Merwin said. "But, Sunday doesn’t look great either. I think Sunday we’re just kind of putting our foot off the gas pedal just a touch."
Rain totals in the Northeast and New England don't appear to be as high as farther south in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast. However, 2 to 3 inches could fall from Baltimore to New York City.
Coast areas of New England, like on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket in Massachusetts, could also see between 2 and 3 inches of rain.
(FOX Weather)
"Saturday looks to be a big impact day, and we could see power outages," Merwin continued. "In the forecast, we have 40- to 50-mph winds. The soil is completely saturated, and we’re going to add a couple of inches on top of that."
The strong winds expected in the Northeast and New England could be strong enough to topple trees, so preparations should be made in case of power outages.