Here’s how Tropical Storm Nate could impact the Grand Strand

Tropical Storm Nate is expected to hit the United States as a hurricane, but its effects on the Grand Strand are small.

Lead forecast with the National Weather Service in Wilmington Michael Colby said that the storm will not have a direct impact on the Myrtle Beach area, but that isolated showers and rip currents can be expected through the weekend.

“We may see a little round of afternoon showers Saturday through early next week,” Colby said.

As for rip currents, Colby said that the Grand Strand can expect to see moderately strong currents.

“It is something we’ll have to watch,” he said.

A 10 a.m. release from the NWS states that the tropical storm has been moving generally northward throughout the past 12 hours, but that a north-northwestward motion is resuming.

A hurricane warning has been issued for portions of the northern Gulf Coast from Louisana to Alabama as well as a storm suge warning that spans from Morgan City, La. to the Alabama/Florida border.

Gulf Coast states can expect to see three to six inches of rain with isolated totats that reach 12 in.

Tropical Storm Nate is expected to turn into a hurricae by 7 p.m. Saturday and should hit land by Sunday morning.

This story was originally published October 6, 2017 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Here’s how Tropical Storm Nate could impact the Grand Strand."