Travel Impact of Potential Tropical Storm 'Ophelia' Warnings Issued for East Coast

A tropical storm forming off the coast of the Southeast United States is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds, high surf, coastal flooding and rip currents to the East Coast.

According to Weather.com, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) dubbed a low-pressure system off the coast “Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen,” which allows the federal agency to issue tropical storm watches and warnings before the storm actually forms.

The NHC believes the low-pressure system will become a tropical or subtropical storm on Friday and then spread northward through Saturday, with the name Ophelia likely to be assigned to the storm. North Carolina is already experiencing heavy rainfall.

As for the areas impacted by the tropical storm alerts, the NHC issued warnings for the eastern parts of North Carolina and Virginia to southern Maryland, including Chesapeake Bay, Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound.

The rain, winds and riptide associated with the storm will carry along the East Coast through Sunday, with areas like Philadelphia, New York City and Boston all feeling the storm’s impact.

As a result, several major U.S. airlines—including Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines—have started issuing travel advisories and waiving change fees for impacted areas, including Baltimore, New York (LaGuardia), Philadelphia, Richmond and Washington D.C.

Cruise lines serving the region and rail companies like Amtrak are keeping a close eye on the weather pattern and will alter itineraries and schedules if necessary, depending on the storm's trajectory.

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