From Meteorologists from weather.com
3 hours ago
- A low pressure system could develop into a tropical or subtropical storm before moving into the Carolinas on Monday.
- The next name in the Atlantic is Helene.
- Impacts expected include heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding.
A disturbance that could develop into Tropical or Subtropical Storm Helene before moving inland late Monday has triggered tropical storm warnings along parts of the Carolinas coast.
Where the system stands now: It is currently a disturbance designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight, located approximately 100 miles east and southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.
This process allows the National Hurricane Center to issue advisories, watches, and warnings for a system that has not yet developed but is threatening to produce tropical storm-force winds on land within 48 hours.
In this case, a tropical storm warning has been issued from Edisto Beach, South Carolina, north to Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina. Tropical storm conditions (winds greater than 39 mph) are expected in this area on Monday.
The low pressure system is already causing rain and windy conditions along the Carolina coast, as the latest radar image below shows.
The low pressure system has been non-tropical in nature since the weekend. It would be called Helene if it could transform into a more subtropical or tropical low pressure system. The effects of this system will be the same whether that happens or not.
Where it is going and when it could be Helene: The system has a high chance of developing into Tropical Storm Helene or Subtropical Storm Helene before moving inland late Monday. It is not expected to intensify before reaching the Carolinas.
Impacts this week include rainfall, gusty winds and coastal flooding early this week. In some locations from northeastern South Carolina to North Carolina and Virginia, rainfall amounts of several inches may be possible.
Localized flooding is possible from eastern South Carolina and central and eastern North Carolina to southern Virginia through Monday night. Localized heavy rain and possible flooding will then spread toward the Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday.
Gusty winds will affect the eastern Carolinas and the southern Mid-Atlantic, and some coastal flooding is also possible at high tide.
When the storm surge reaches its peak at high tide, it is expected to be 1 to 3 feet above ground level from northeastern South Carolina to southeastern North Carolina.
