MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The WMBF First Alert Weather team has issued a FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY for Monday as Storm Helene is approaching and will impact our region. Helene will likely strengthen into a tropical storm tonight.

SOON HELENE

A low pressure system forming offshore could reach tropical strength tonight into Monday. Even if this system does not become tropical, impacts of locally heavy rain, strong wind gusts and coastal flooding are possible. The exact track of this system is still uncertain, but it will likely make landfall somewhere between the Grand Strand and Wilmington on Monday.

The National Hurricane Center has now upgraded this system to soon become Helene. Maximum sustained winds are currently at 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Helene will likely be upgraded to a tropical storm tonight.

• A TROPICAL STORM WARNING was introduced for the entire Grand Strand
• A Flood warning was published for the counties of Horry, Marion, Dillon, Georgetown and Robeson.
• A NOTE ON HIGH SURFING There, 1.80 m high breakers, slight erosion and dangerous surf backflows can be observed.
• A STORM WARNING for coastal waters and dangerous boating conditions is also excluded.

Please note that further warnings and advisories are likely to be issued.

RAIL

The soon-to-be-Henry Helene is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm tonight before making landfall on the Carolina coast tomorrow as a tropical storm.

HEAVY RAIN

Areas near the landfall of the center of this developing system will experience localized excessive rainfall, which may result in flash flooding.

Total rainfall could be 2 to 6 inches, with higher amounts in some areas. It is currently unclear where the axis of heaviest rain will be.

WIND

While damaging winds are not expected, wind gusts of 35 to 45 miles per hour are possible at the center’s landfall.

Here too, the exact location of the strongest winds depends on the position of the low pressure area and where it moves on land.

Flooding on the coast

The developing low pressure system combined with spring tides could cause minor coastal flooding tonight into Monday. Areas with strong offshore winds have the greatest chance of coastal flooding. The strongest offshore winds will occur near and north of where the low pressure system makes landfall.

We’re here to keep you updated on any forecast changes. The best way to stay informed is to download the WMBF First Alert Weather App.

All rights reserved.