AccuWeather hurricane experts are warning of a developing tropical wind and rainstorm expected to bring gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous surf to parts of the U.S. East Coast starting later this week.
AccuWeather is using the term “tropical rainstorm” to describe this system, a designation used for tropical systems with significant disruptive potential from rain or wind even before they are officially classified as a tropical depression or storm. This term is intended to raise public awareness of the potential for damaging and dangerous impacts.
“A strengthening area of low pressure off the coast of the southeast U.S. is expected to develop into a tropical wind and rainstorm later this week,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “This storm could bring some gusty winds and heavy rainfall to parts of the mid-Atlantic coast starting Friday. Regardless of tropical development, this storm will likely cause rough surf, rip currents, and beach erosion.”
READ: Hurricane Drought: US Reaches September End Without Landfall For First Time In A Decade
Erosion Threat for Outer Banks and Coastal Flooding Risk
The storm poses a renewed threat to areas already vulnerable to coastal impacts.
“Areas of the Outer Banks that lost several beach houses to rough surf last week could face another round of beach erosion and rough surf from this coastal storm,” DaSilva added. He cautioned that prolonged coastal flooding and beach erosion may cause damage and disruptions throughout the weekend.
The risk is amplified by a potentially slow-moving storm, which can significantly elevate the risk for coastal flooding and erosion. The timing is particularly concerning as onshore winds may be present during multiple high tide cycles, coinciding with astronomically high tides this time of the month.
The storm’s path will be key to determining the severity of impacts. “If this storm hugs the coast or stalls along the shore, it could bring significant rain and wind impacts to parts of the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast,” DaSilva explained. “If the storm is able to move northeast and out to sea, the rain and wind impacts along the coast will be reduced.”
READ: Powering Through Peril In Florida: Essential Generator Safety As Hurricane Season Looms
Monitoring a Second Tropical Threat and Hurricane Season Status
Hurricane experts are also keeping a close eye on a brewing tropical threat in the open Atlantic.
“A tropical wave moving through the Atlantic main development region may develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm this week. It could bring some rain and gusty winds to the Leeward Islands late this week,” DaSilva said. However, the outlook for the U.S. is currently positive for this second system: “At this time, we expect this developing storm to curve north. A dip in the jet stream should help steer the storm away from the U.S. East Coast.” The next names on the Atlantic storm list are Jerry and Karen.
This year’s hurricane season is currently experiencing the longest streak in a decade without a hurricane making landfall in the United States.
Following an unusual lull in September, AccuWeather was the first known source to lower its forecast for the maximum number of named storms and hurricanes predicted this year.
The current AccuWeather 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast predicts 13-16 named storms and six to nine hurricanes. Experts stress that the forecast for three to six direct impacts on the U.S. has not changed, despite the slight lowering of the total number of storms and hurricanes.
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