Tropical Storm Chantal (03L) - Tropical Cyclone Update #2

…Chantal to bring tropical storm conditions to the coastal Carolinas later today… …Additional tropical storm watches and warnings issued…

 Current storm information:

• Position: 31.1°N 78.7°W (135 mi SSE of Charleston, SC)

• Movement: Nearly stationary

• Intensity: 35 knots (40 mph, 65 km/h)

• Central pressure: 1007 hPa

Trend:

• Gradual strengthening is possible before Chantal makes landfall on Sunday.

Watches and warnings:

• Tropical storm warning: South Santee River, SC to Surf City, NC

• Tropical storm watch: Edisto Beach, SC to South Santee River, SC

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

Hazards affecting land:

• Tropical storm conditions - namely winds stronger than 39 mph - are expected in the warning area later today into tomorrow. In addition, heavy rainfall is expected and isolated tornadoes are possible throughout South Carolina, eastern North Carolina, and eastern and central Virginia through Monday. Storm total rainfall of up to 6 inches is possible in portions of the Carolinas, and this rainfall could cause flash flooding.

• Although Chantal 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.