MIAMI, June 7 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Andrea advanced rapidly on the mid-Atlantic coast Friday, with gale conditions expected from Virginia to New Jersey, forecasters said.
In its 8 p.m. EDT update, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said the center of Andrea was 45 miles north-northeast of Norfolk, Va., and about 75 miles southwest of Ocean City, Md., with top sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm was moving northeast at 35 mph and was expected to turn toward the east-northeast and east Saturday night and Sunday.
The storm is expected to cross Atlantic Canada late Saturday through Sunday.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for South Santee River to Cape Charles Light, Va., Pamlico and Albemarle sounds and lower Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort.
Widespread flooding wasn't expected in the Northeast, but Andrea was forecast to bring the potential for heavy downpours and flooding along the Atlantic Coast, AccuWeather.com said.
Travel delays from blinding tropical downpours, flooding and locally gusty thunderstorms are possible, forecasters said.
Gusty onshore winds along the coast will bring locally rough surf and strong rip currents, AccuWeather.com said. Swimmers were advised to exercise caution Friday and Saturday.
The National Hurricane Center said a few tornadoes were possible Friday in eastern North Carolina and Virginia.
