Due to the effects from Tropical Storm Ophelia affecting eastern United States September 2023, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if the coast from southeastern North Carolina to southeastern Massachusetts is in your travel plans over the next few days.
Tropical Storm Ophelia Affecting Eastern United States: September 2023 Travel Alert
Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Ophelia — which is currently approximately 90 miles east southeast of Cape Fear in North Carolina and moving north northwest at a speed of twelve miles per hour — are at 70 miles per hour, which means that it is currently a strong tropical storm; and Tropical Storm Ophelia may possibly strengthen to become a minimal hurricane for a brief period of time as it takes a path toward Atlantic Beach and Morehead City in North Carolina, where landfall is expected to occur as soon as the early morning hours of tomorrow, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- North Carolina north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Cape Fear in North Carolina to Fenwick Island in Delaware
- Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound
- Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island
- Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
- Bogue Inlet in North Carolina to Chincoteague in Virginia
- Chesapeake Bay south of Colonial Beach in Virginia
- Neuse River and Pamlico River
- Portions of Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:
- North Carolina from Surf City to Beaufort Inlet
- Remainder of Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound
A dangerous storm surge of up to six feet is expected in the aforementioned areas that are under official watches and warnings. As much as seven inches of rain could fall in local areas from southeastern North Carolina to southeastern Massachusetts. A tornado is even possible in some areas.
Dangerous rough life-threatening surf, strong rip currents, and swells from Tropical Storm Ophelia are currently affecting much of the east coast of the United States. Most of the eastern coast of North Carolina and some of the coast of northeastern South Carolina have already begin to experience the winds of this tropical system. Electrical power outages are likely to occur in some areas.
After landfall in southeastern North Carolina, Tropical Storm Ophelia will weaken — but its path will take it across the eastern portions of Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania and dump significant precipitation on these areas.
Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations
If you are traveling to or from the east coast of the United States from southeastern North Carolina to southeastern Massachusetts over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are seven airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for 15 airports in five states for Saturday, September 23, 2023 through Sunday, September 24, 2023; and Thursday, September 28, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for 14 airports in seven states for Friday, September 22, 2023 through Sunday, September 24, 2023; and Wednesday, September 27, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for ten airports in five states for Saturday, September 23, 2023 through Sunday, September 24, 2023; and Thursday, September 28, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for seven airports in four states for Saturday, September 23, 2023 through Sunday, September 24, 2023; and Sunday, October 8, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for eight airports in five states for Saturday, September 23, 2023 through Sunday, September 24, 2023; and Wednesday, September 27, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for eight airports in six states for Saturday, September 23, 2023.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in four states for Saturday, September 23, 2023 through Sunday, September 24, 2023; and Wednesday, September 27, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Final Boarding Call
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
