Tropical storm warning issued for South Carolina coast
A tropical storm warning was issued for the SC coast, including Beaufort County, Friday evening by the National Hurricane Center.
On Friday, the National Hurricane Center upped the chances that a tropical storm to 90 percent within the next 48 hours. There is also a 90 percent chance that the storm will form within the next five days.
The tropical storm warning is in effect for the area between the Savannah River in Georgia and the Little River in North Carolina.
The storm system, located 450 miles southeast of Charleston, showed shower and thunderstorm activity throughout Friday.
James Carpenter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, said that regardless of how or when the potential tropical storm will form, the Beaufort County area should expect to see showers and thunderstorms chances from Saturday afternoon to Monday, and possibly throughout next week.
“We’re still uncertain where this storm will land, but now they are predicting it to be further north, so the chances of rain for the Hilton Head area are lower right now, but the numbers keep changing.”
Carpenter said Saturday night through Sunday will most likely see rain in the Hilton Head area, but since the potential tropical storm system could shift, it’s hard to predict exactly when rain will hit.
“Monitor the storm closely throughout the weekend,” he said.
Carpenter said the storm could bring heavy rain, rip currents, and rougher surf conditions to the Hilton Head area this weekend, but wind will not be a factor.
If the system becomes a tropical storm, it would be called Bonnie. In January, Alex was the first official tropical storm and hurricane of 2016 season.
Mandy Matney: 843-706-8147, @MandyMatney
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This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Tropical storm warning issued for South Carolina coast."