The aftermath of Tropical Storm Ophelia, which hit North Carolina recently, may cause flooding in parts of the Northeast as it moves towards the area. Additionally, Tropical Storm Philippe and newly-formed Tropical Storm Rina are creating uncertain forecasts as they move through the Caribbean. The Acela Corridor and southern New England, particularly around New York City, are expected to experience heavy rainfall between Thursday night and early Saturday due to the remnants of Ophelia. Meanwhile, the unpredictability of Philippe’s path and Rina’s potential interaction with it creates challenges for forecasters. The Atlantic hurricane season has been exceptionally active this year, with an above-normal activity expected in the next two weeks.
In the Northeast, meteorologists are frustrated by a difficult forecast caused by a stubborn weather pattern. Cities like Philadelphia, New York City, and Albany may experience intense downpours that could produce significant amounts of rainfall. The uncertainty is high, with different models indicating varying zones of heavy rain. The remnants of Ophelia, which have evolved into a broad zone of low pressure, are contributing to the cool and dreary conditions in the region. However, pinpointing which areas will be most affected by flooding is challenging due to the complexity of forecasting inverted troughs.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Philippe is disorganized and located east of the Lesser Antilles. Its intensity may remain the same as it heads west before turning north. It could potentially impact the northern Leeward Islands next week. Newly-formed Tropical Storm Rina, located east of Philippe, is forecasted to follow a similar path but move safely away from the islands. There is a chance that Philippe and Rina may interact in a phenomenon called the “Fujiwhara,” which could alter Rina’s trajectory. However, the confidence in this interaction is low. Overall, the Atlantic hurricane season has been active, and there is a possibility of above-normal activity in the coming weeks.