RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — As North Carolina braces for a wet weekend, the National Hurricane Center is now eyeing two unrelated storm systems in the Atlantic.
While monitoring has been ongoing for Tropical Storm Jerry since Tuesday, the NHC announced late Thursday night that a new system has formed.
According to the NHC, Subtropical Storm Karen has maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour and is moving northeast at 9 miles per hour. It is currently deep into the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean with little to no possibility of impacting the North Carolina coast.
One system that is slightly closer to the coast is Tropical Storm Jerry, which — according to the NHC — is moving at 17 miles per hour with maximum winds at 50 miles per hour.
While no watches or warnings have been issued for Subtropical Storm Karen, the National Weather Service has alerted the Northern Leeward Islands area, including St. Barthelemy and St. Martin, of a Tropical Storm Warning due to Tropical Storm Jerry.
This storm system is not projected to have an impact on the NC coast either, although an unrelated coastal low will develop this weekend in the Atlantic miles away from Jerry.
As for central and eastern North Carolina, the NWS is monitoring the development and track of this coastal low over the next couple of days. The futurecast projects that storms could hit Wilmington as early as 11 p.m. Friday, leading into a weekend downpour.
The NWS issued a Coastal Flood Advisory on Thursday along the Pamlico Sound, Trent, Bay and lower Neuse Rivers, as well as adjacent tidal creeks and areas along the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers through Monday because of the amount of rain projected to arrive this weekend.
“A coastal low is forecast to move north along, or just off, the coast of the Carolinas this weekend, leading to multiple coastal hazards,” the advisory said. “1 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.”
Dare County in the Outer Banks area, which is still recovering from homes collapsing from coastal storms, has advised its residents Thursday evening to prepare for potential impacts.
“Impacts could vary significantly depending on the track and strength of the yet-to-form storm,” Dare County officials said. “Currently, the National Weather Service is forecasting strong winds, heavy rainfall with areas of flash flooding, and moderate to locally major coastal impacts—especially on Hatteras Island.”
Officials ask residents to be ready to take action to protect their properties from potential overwash from 2 to 4 feet of inundation. “If you are standing at ground level and there is no dune between you and the ocean, you are in a vulnerable area,” officials said.
That same system is projected to enter central NC Saturday afternoon and linger through Sunday morning, bringing periods of rain. The rain is projected to be light to moderate in the area.
The CBS 17 Storm Team will keep you up to speed on how this weekend’s weather will go, so stay tuned!