Tropical Storm Philippe may menace U.S., Canada. And there’s a new disturbance to watch
After expected heavy rains and winds from Tropical Storm Philippe lash Bermuda on Friday, the system is forecast to reach the coast of Maine and eastern Canada Saturday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Federal forecasters also continue to monitor a disturbance trying to grow in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.
The latest on Philippe from the National Hurricane Center’s most recent advisory:
Strength: Philippe’s maximum sustained winds held at back up to 50 mph. Winds blow at tropical storm force up to 205 miles east of Philippe’s center. The system, which forecasters say will become a “post-tropical cyclone on Saturday, is expected to bring heavy rains from New York through Canada over the weekend, according to the hurricane center’s 8 a.m. advisory on Friday.
“For portions of New York and New England, rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches, with local amounts of 5 inches, are expected with Philippe as it moves through the region this weekend. Isolated to scattered instances of urban and flash flooding are expected,” the advisory states. “For portions of Southeast Canada, rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches,with local amounts of 5 inches, are expected with Philippe as it moves through the region this weekend. Isolated to scattered instances of urban and flash flooding are expected.”
Location: Philippe is about 165 miles south of Bermuda.
Movement: Philippe is still moving north, but picking up speed to 18 mph.
“This general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected to continue through Saturday night,” the hurricane center said. “A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast early Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Philippe will pass near or just west of Bermuda on Friday, and then reach the coast of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or eastern Maine Saturday night.”
The forecast track has shifted slightly east, putting Bermuda just outside the cone for now.
Watches and warnings: Bermuda is under a tropical storm warning.
Hazards: Bermuda should get two to four inches of rain through Friday and feel tropical storm winds by early Friday morning. Huge swells will cause dangerous surf and rip currents in Bermuda, but swells “are also reaching portions of the southeastern U.S. coast and will spread northward along the east coast to Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days.”
Effect on Florida or the rest of the U.S. East Coast: No effects yet, but the forecast track says New England, especially Maine, should prepare for a storm.
About that disturbance in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic Ocean...
The hurricane center says a tropical wave should move off Africa’s west coast in a day or two.
“Thereafter, some slow development of this system is possible as it moves westward to west-northwestward across the eastern tropical Atlantic,” the hurricane center said.
Formation chance through 48 hours: Near 0%
Formation chance through seven days: 50%
This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 8:47 AM with the headline "Tropical Storm Philippe may menace U.S., Canada. And there’s a new disturbance to watch."
