Here’s when a tropical storm in the Gulf could bring rain, gusty winds to Raleigh area
Central North Carolina, including the Triangle area, can expect scattered rain and storms this week as a tropical system makes its way to the United States through the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm, now called Potential Tropical Cyclone 9, is sitting in the Caribbean and expected to become a tropical storm with near-hurricane strength on Tuesday, Sept. 24, moving north and northwest into the Gulf of Mexico, says the National Weather Service’s Raleigh office.
The storm is expected to make landfall in the northeastern Gulf sometime Thursday and could become a major hurricane, according to the NWS-Raleigh.
The latest updates from an AccuWeather media briefing say “rapid intensification” of the storm could result in a Category 3 hurricane. One track, says AccuWeather could send the storm up through New Orleans and Biloxi. If the storm tracks more northeast, it could hit the Big Bend of Florida with gusts of at least 60 to 80 mph.
The next tropical storm name on the list for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is Helene.
What are the impacts for central NC?
The impact on central North Carolina depends on how TC9 interacts with a trough over the midsection of the country, says NWS Raleigh.
But as of Monday, based on the current track, NWS Raleigh forecasts gusty winds and heavy rains with possible tornado threats, late Thursday into Saturday, depending on the track.
Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27, the tropical system could bring heavy rainfall, and 7-day totals could exceed 2 inches across the western Piedmont with lower amounts in central NC.
Central NC is expected to have higher than normal temps this week, along with higher than normal rainfall.
Another tropical wave to the west of Africa is not forecast to pose a risk to North or South Carolina.
Hurricane John moving toward Mexico
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm John, a North Pacific storm, is expected to become a hurricane later on Monday, Sept. 23, and continue to strengthen before reaching the southern coast of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The system is expected to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days.
That storm is not expected to impact the Carolinas.
NC residents can use this real-time tool to search where stream flooding is likely
Take these 5 steps right now to get ready for Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina
