(CNN) — The risk of flash flooding will increase this Friday for millions of people in the northeastern United States, including the New York area, as moisture from the remnants of the long-lost Tropical Storm Ophelia combine with a new coastal storm to unleash heavy rainfall.
“The remnant of Ophelia will merge with a new low pressure developing along the Carolina coast today before strengthening as it heads northeast tonight and throughout Friday, spreading rain again across the region, especially coastal areas,” the National Weather Service office in Philadelphia said Thursday morning.
Rain will begin for many starting Thursday, peaking this Friday night from Maryland to Massachusetts.
Rainfall totals are expected to range from 25.4 to 76 mm, but some areas could receive more than 101 mm. The area of the New York City could receive up to 127 mm of rain through Saturday.
Uncertainty remains exactly where the most rain will fall as weather models disagree on how far the low pressure system is from the coast.
A path closer to the coast would increase precipitation totals. A further trajectory would keep the most intense rains and storms offshore.
Flooding could occur even in areas that receive as little as 25 mm of rain, as the ground is already saturated in many areas of the northeast due to recent heavy rainfall. At least 50 mm of rain has fallen in the last seven days from Virginia through Massachusetts, with some areas picking up more than 101 mm.
The system will move very slowly out of the region this weekend, so more rain is expected from Boston to Virginia Beach on Saturday. The sun finally returns in full force on Sunday, when precipitation-limiting high pressure returns to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
Threat of coastal flooding due to supermoon
Another factor may aggravate flooding in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: a supermoon.
Coastal flood advisories in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Credit:CNN Weather
The fourth and final supermoon of 2023 will occur this Friday morning, creating more extreme tidal cycles that could increase the potential for flooding in communities along the East Coast.
As a result, coastal flood advisories extend more than 300 miles from Bridgeport, Connecticut, through Virginia Beach.
Up to 30cm of flooding above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near coasts and tidal watercourses. The meteorological service warns of the possibility of partial or total road closures.
Rip currents and strong waves are another cause for concern. According to NOAA data, at least one person has died so far this year. 76 personas because of rip currents.
2023-09-28 23:31:00
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