What will Subtropical Storm Nicole’s impact be on Beaufort County? Here’s what to know
The National Weather Service warned Monday that recently formed Subtropical Storm Nicole will put Beaufort County at risk for coastal flooding, winds over coastal waters, gusty winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous surf.
“Things are going to deteriorate mid-to-late week,” said Steve Rowley, a meteorologist with the Charleston office.
Wind gusts in the county, whipping up to 30 mph inland and 44 mph along the Hilton Head reef, could be felt as soon as Tuesday. However, Rowley said the worst impacts for South Carolina will likely be seen late this week and into the weekend, with coastal flooding as the main concern.
“We’re not going to wait for the arrival of the storm before things get bad,” Rowley said. “Things are going to go downhill because of the interaction of the tropical storm and the high pressure to the north.”
Three weeks before Atlantic hurricane season commences, Subtropical Storm Nicole formed in the southwestern Atlantic on Monday and had winds of 45 mph that morning. Nicole is expected to strengthen as it approaches Florida’s east coast and the southeast United States coast later this week and could reach hurricane status on Wednesday, NWS said.
Meteorologists predict Nicole will move toward Florida’s east coast by Wednesday evening, however the weather service noted that it “will be a large storm and impacts will be felt well away from its center.” That includes coastal South Carolina. Once Nicole crosses the Florida peninsula, whatever is left of the system is expected to take a sharp turn northeast, Rowley said.
Early Monday, the NWS issued a tropical storm watch for the county’s coastal waters, bringing northeast winds with strong gusts and seas of up to 12 feet. To prepare, the service said “mariners should consider altering plans to avoid possible hazardous conditions.”
Coastal flooding will be the worst during high tides, though rainfall count that will contribute will be based on how close the system comes to the coast, NWS said. As of Monday morning, meteorologists forecast that Beaufort County will get an accumulation of 3 to 4 inches of rain between Thursday and Sunday.
A high surf could churn up waves at least 5 feet, which could cause significant beach erosion. Temperatures in the county will also plummet Wednesday, bringing a high of 69 degrees.
Rowley noted that “details are going to change over the next couple of days” regarding Nicole, especially as the storm is expected to take a sharp turn.
This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 11:45 AM.
