Tropical Depression Three (03L) - Tropical Cyclone Update #1

…Tropical depression forms off the Southeastern U.S. coast… …Tropical storm watch issued for portions of South Carolina…

Current storm information:

• Position: 30.8°N 79.0°W

• Movement: Nearly stationary

• Intensity: 30 knots (35 mph, 55 km/h)

• Central pressure: 1012 hPa

Trend:

• Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and the depression could become a tropical storm on Saturday. The system is forecast to be a minimal tropical storm when it makes landfall in the Carolinas on Sunday, before weakening and dissipating as it moves inland.

Watches and warnings:

• Tropical storm watch: Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet, SC

• Additional watches or warnings may be needed for other portions of the southeastern U.S. coastline later today or tomorrow.

Hazards affecting land:

• Tropical storm conditions - namely winds stronger than 39 mph - are possible in the watch area late Saturday into Sunday. In addition, heavy rainfall is expected throughout South Carolina, eastern North Carolina, and eastern and central Virginia through Monday. Although the depression is forecast to dissipate over central North Carolina on Monday, its associated moisture will filter into Virginia and make conditions favorable for scattered extremely heavy thunderstorms in central and eastern Virginia through midweek.