The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida has initiated issuing advisories for newly formed Tropical Depression #3 which is now forecast to become a tropical storm. Due to that threat, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued Tropical Storm Watches for portions of the U.S. East Coast. The next tropical storm to be named in the Atlantic would be called Chantal.
According to the NHC, the wind circulation associated with the low pressure area east of the coast of north Florida has become stronger, with aircraft and scatterometer data indicating a well-defined circulation with maximum winds near 30 kt and a radius of maximum wind of about 80-90 nautical miles.
“The system has also developed persistent convection east and southeast of the center,” said the NHC in an update issued at 5 pm ET. “Based on these developments, advisories are being started on Tropical Depression Three.”
The system is now located at 30.8N 79.0W which is 150 miles south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina and 245 miles south-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. With a minimum pressure of 1012 mb or 29.89″, the storm has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with higher gusts.
Due to the formation of this system, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued from Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Little River Inlet, South Carolina. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
“Interests elsewhere along the southeast coast of the United States should monitor the progress of this system,” cautions the NHC. “Additional warnings and watches will likely be required for portions of this area later tonight and Saturday.”
The depression is moving toward the north near 2 mph now. A slow motion toward the north-northwest is expected through Saturday, followed by a motion toward the north Saturday night and Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression is expected to move near or over the coast of South Carolina Sunday morning.
Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter data indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm on Saturday.
Tropical Depression Three is expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of the coastal plain of the Carolinas Saturday through Monday. Storm total rainfall of 2-4″ with local amounts to 6″ is expected.
A storm surge of 1 to 2 feet above ground level could occur along the coast in the tropical storm watch area in areas of onshore flow.
The depression is expected to bring rough surf and rip currents to much of the Carolina coastline during the next couple of
days.
