Extended Version of Tropical Storm OPHELIA storm chase in Southern Maryland. See the Chesapeake Bay in a "rageful" condition!
September 23, 2023: OPHELIA became the 15th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season at 2pm EDT on Friday, September 22nd. OPHELIA developed from a non-tropical low-pressure area associated to a stalled cold front east of Florida. Moving northward, the system developed a closed circulation and a warm core during 21 and 22 September. This prompted the National Hurricane Center to initiate tropical storm and storm surge warnings from North Carolina through Maryland, including the Chesapeake Bay until North Beach, MD. OPHELIA's winds peaked at 70mph near landfall at Emerald Isle, North Carolina at 6:15am on 23 September. The storm continue to track northward across eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia while losing strength. The final NHC advisory was issued at 11pm EDT on 23 September as OPHELIA's center was located about 30 miles SSW of Richmond, VA. OPHELIA's wind effects were far-reaching due to a large wind field extending over 300 miles from the center.
I decided to go for a "local" chase and document OPHELIA's effects in Maryland. I had mulled going to Wallops Island, VA, or Ocean City, MD, but decided to experience the storm in Southern Maryland along the western Chesapeake shore at Calvert County. My goal was to experience tropical storm conditions along the shoreline, and within the Tropical Storm Warning area. The warning extended until North Beach, so I proceeded south until near the Patuxent NAS. I left home in Columbia MD at 6am on Saturday, 23 September. The drive until Chesapeake Beach took a little over 1 hour, then I kept driving and filming along the coast in the following locations:
Calvert County MD:
- Breezy Point Beach
- Long Beach
- Calvert Beach
- Dares Beach
- Chesapeake Beach
- North Beach
Anne Arundel County MD:
Holland Point
Tropical storm OPHELIA brought sustained tropical storm winds of 40-45mph, with peak gusts of 55-60mph at some of my film locations. These winds primarily occurred in squall lines as they moved onshore. Sustained winds of 40mph with gusts near 60mph were measured in this region (see detailed observations below). Regarding the Chesapeake Bay, it was raging. I was able to document waves of over 3 feet and significant whitecaps, which are exceptional for the usually-calm Chesapeake Bay. I also observed evidence of some minor coastal flooding and beach erosion, especially in the Long Beach location.
In summary, OPHELIA brought tropical storm conditions and rough bayside water conditions during 23 September 2023. I was able to document these effects, including some tree and wire damage. OPHELIA marks my 2nd Maryland tropical storm chase, and my 22nd overall tropical cyclone experience.
Significant wind observations in Maryland:
NDBC Buoy 44662 (38.556N 76.415W) 6.7 miles from Long Beach, MD --- 40mph G56mph (224pm) ***Sustained at 40mph several times during the day with multiple gusts over 50mph as well
1 SE PAROLE - MESONET DATE: 09/23/2023 TIME: 504 PM
WIND GUST: 56mph
1 WSW POINT LOOKOUT - BUOY DATE: 09/23/2023 TIME: 454 AM
WIND GUST: 52mph
NDBC Buoy (38.556N 76.415W) at Cove Point LNG pier --- 38mph G45mph (1212pm, gusts at 1206pm & 1:17pm)
3 E CALVERT CLIFFS - BUOY DATE: 09/23/2023 TIME:1054 AM
WIND GUST: 45mph
6 SSE FISHING CREEK - BUOY DATE: 09/23/2023 TIME: 541 AM
WIND GUST: 47mph
NDBC Station (SLIM2 - 8577330 - Solomons Island) at --- 30mph G40mph at 400pm
Patuxent NAS --- 30mph G45mph (452am) ***Multiple gusts of 41mph throughout the day
Негізгі бет Ғылым және технология RAGING CHESAPEAKE BAY due to Tropical Storm OPHELIA | Full Chase Version (23 Sep 2023)
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