Depression Strengthens To Tropical Storm Chantal

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Tropical Storm Chantal’s core was situated close to latitude 30.9 North, longitude 79.0 West, around 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC). Nearly 2 mph (4 km/h) is the storm’s gradual northward movement. It is predicted to start moving slowly toward the north-northwest later today and turn northeast by Sunday evening. The center of Chantal is predicted to sweep across the South Carolina coast on Sunday morning.

With stronger gusts, maximum sustained winds had risen to around 40 mph (65 km/h). Before Chantal hits the coast, some more strengthening is anticipated.

Outward, tropical storm-force winds reach up to 70 miles (115 km), mostly east of the center.

A minimum central pressure of 1009 mb (29.80 inches) is estimated.

CHANGES AS A RESULTS OF THIS ADVISORY:

From South Santee River, South Carolina, to Cape Fear, North Carolina, the Tropical Storm Watch has been changed to a Tropical Storm Warning.

OVERVIEW OF THE WATCHES AND WARNINGS APPLICABLE:

* South Santee River, SC to Cape Fear, NC are under a tropical storm warning.

* Edisto Beach to South Santee River, SC is under a tropical storm watch.

Tropical storm conditions are predicted to occur somewhere in the warning region, in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours, according to a tropical storm warning.

A tropical storm watch indicates that, in this situation, tropical storm conditions could develop within the watch area during the following 12 hours.

Chantal’s progress should be tracked by those with an interest in other areas of the US southeast coast.

Please keep an eye on products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office for storm information particular to your area, including potential inland watches and warnings.

The Tropical Cyclone Discussion’s AWIPS header MIATCDAT3 and WMO header WTNT43 KNHC provide the key messages for Tropical Storm Chantal.

WIND: Starting this evening and lasting through Sunday morning, the warning area is predicted to experience tropical storm conditions. The watch region may experience tropical storm conditions starting later today.

RAINFALL: From today through Monday, Tropical Storm Chantal is predicted to bring significant rainfall to areas of the Carolinas’ coastal plain. Rainfall is predicted to range from 2 to 4 inches overall, with local totals of up to 6 inches. increasing the likelihood of flash flooding.

Please refer to the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, which can be found at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?rainqpf, for a comprehensive representation of the predicted rainfall and flash flooding linked to Tropical Storm Chantal.

STORM SURGE: Rising seas flowing inland from the shoreline will flood normally dry areas along the coast when storm surge and tide combine. If the peak surge happens during high tide, the water could rise to the following elevations above ground somewhere in the designated areas:

Cape Fear, NC to South Santee River, SC, 1-3 foot South Santee River, SC to Edisto Beach, SC, 1-2 foot

SURF: Over the course of the next two days, the tropical storm is predicted to deliver potentially fatal surf and rip currents from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic states.

Here is a graphic representation of the risk of rip currents in the United States: hurricanes.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/?ripCurrents