Tropical storm watch likely for the Carolinas as system moves north, forecasters say
A storm system brewing off the coast of Florida is likely to become a tropical or subtropical depression Saturday evevning — and it’s headed for the Carolina coastline, according to forecasters.
Heavy rain and “gusty winds” are expected as a low-pressure system moves up the east coast of Florida Saturday night, at which point a tropical storm watch could be issued for parts of North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said on Twitter.
“Interests near the North Carolina coast should closely monitor this system as it could produce wind and rain impacts there on Monday,” according to the Hurricane Center.
Forecasters said Friday the storm had an 80% chance of developing into the first named storm of the 2020 Hurricane Season — which doesn’t officially start until June 1, McClatchy News reported.
The storm will be named Arthur once it strengthens.
As of 2 p.m. Saturday, the Hurricane Center projected the storm’s path will take it east of the Carolinas toward the end of the weekend and early next week. Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents along the southeastern shorelines as the storm makes its way north.
The South Carolina State Climate Office said current models show it passing 150 to 200 miles off the coast as it treks toward Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks. Wind gusts could reach 30 mph.
“Models are in decent agreement showing this feature passed and opening the SC coast by lunch-time Monday heading for open Atlantic waters, alone and unafraid,” the climate office said Saturday.
The brunt of the storm is forecast to hit the Outer Banks — though it isn’t expected to make landfall, according to AccuWeather.
“While it still appears that the worst of the storm will stay offshore, we are monitoring the potential for the storm to track closer to the coast and bring the Outer Banks more substantial rain and wind,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said.
Rough surf and “an uptick in gusty showers” await residents and visitors depending on how close the storm treads to shore.
The Outer Banks reopened for visitors Saturday morning after concerns over the coronavirus pandemic shuttered its islands, McClatchy News reported. A line of cars was seen on the Currituck side of the Wright Memorial Bridge waiting to get in when the ban lifted at 12:01 a.m., OBX Today reported on Twitter.
This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Tropical storm watch likely for the Carolinas as system moves north, forecasters say."
