Tropical storm warning issued for US East Coast ahead of potential cyclone

A satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a potential tropical cyclone forming off the southeastern coast of the United States in the Atlantic Ocean. (NOAA via AP)

A tropical storm warning covering a stretch from coastal North Carolina to Delaware has been issued ahead of a potential tropical cyclone approaching the densely populated East Coast of the US.

The National Hurricane Centre announced the formation of “Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen” on Thursday. The storm was located about 340 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and moving north, according to an 8pm advisory from the centre. The storm had top sustained winds of 35mph.