Tropical storm forecast to form in Atlantic. Here’s what that means for the Carolinas
The Southeast coast is expected to see rough waves and strong rip currents for the next couple days as the first named storm of the 2020 Hurricane Season takes shape in the Atlantic, forecasters say.
As of Friday morning, the storm was centered just south of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters say it has an 80% chance of developing into the first named storm of the 2020 Hurricane Season, which doesn’t officially start until June 1.
“Gradual development of this system is expected, and it will likely become a tropical or subtropical storm on Saturday when it is located near the northwestern Bahamas,” the Hurricane Center said. If the storm does strengthen, it will be named Arthur.
Beaches from Georgia, through South Carolina and up to the North Carolina Outer Banks should expect big waves and strong rip currents from the storm, the National Weather Service said.
“Low pressure, which could become a tropical cyclone, will pass off the Southeast Coast this weekend into early next week. Increased swell from this storm will bring the potential for stronger and more frequent rip currents to area beaches,” forecasters warned.
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The Hurricane Center said it plans to send an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane into the storm on Saturday to check it out.
“Regardless of development, the disturbance will continue to bring heavy rainfall to portions of the Florida Keys, southeast Florida and the Bahamas through Saturday,” the Hurricane Center said.
The same areas could also see tropical storm force wind gusts with the storm, forecasters said.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Tropical storm forecast to form in Atlantic. Here’s what that means for the Carolinas."
