As Massachusetts residents prepare for another weather event, the WBZ Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert, signaling the potential for heavy rainfall due to an impending tropical storm.

On Thursday at 11 a.m., the National Hurricane Center commenced advisories on “Potential Tropical Storm 16,” focusing on a region of unsettled weather off the southeast coast. Presently, there is a 50% probability that this disturbance may evolve into a tropical storm.

The center of this emerging weather system is located approximately 355 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, boasting maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Its current drift is northward at a sluggish pace of about 3 mph.

According to the official National Hurricane Center forecast, this developing system is anticipated to intensify into a Tropical Storm, likely named Ophelia, by Friday morning. Subsequently, it is projected to undergo further strengthening throughout Friday before making landfall along the coastal regions of North Carolina early on Saturday.

Tropical storm warnings are presently in effect, spanning from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. The affected areas are at risk of experiencing a storm surge measuring between 2 to 4 feet, in addition to concerns about coastal and inland flooding.

Current weather models suggest that areas from North Carolina to the Mid-Atlantic could potentially receive between 3 to 6 inches of rainfall. However, as we move northward into New England, some model discrepancies regarding the extent of impact remain.

Southern New England currently faces a notable likelihood of receiving 1 to 3 inches of rainfall between Saturday and Monday, a situation that may lead to renewed flooding in certain locales. The highest risk of encountering steady to heavy rain is expected during the midday to evening hours on Saturday and once again later on Sunday into Monday.

Regardless of whether the developing weather system attains official tropical storm status, it is poised to deliver substantial rainfall along the East Coast throughout the coming weekend.