Tropical storm warning issued for Brunswick County as Chantal forms off US coast
The warning area stretches from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to South Santee River, South Carolina. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina.
As of 8 a.m. Saturday, July 5, Chantal, which had sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving at north at 2 mph as of 5 a.m. Saturday, was located 150 miles south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and 240 miles south-southwest of Wilmington.
A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within 12 to 24 hours.
Some additional strengthening is expected before Chantal reaches the coast, the hurricane center briefing said. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles, primarily to the east of the center.
Here's what to expect in the Wilmington area:
More: These seven major storms left a lasting impact on Wilmington over the past six years
By Saturday morning, rain bands and thunderstorm had already reached the Cape Fear region. The Wilmington area could see 2-4 inches of rain, mainly near the coast with isolated totals up to 6 inches possible, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. The heaviest rain is likely Saturday night into Sunday.
Periods of heavy rainfall could cause localized flooding, according to the weather service. Minor coastal flooding is possible along northeast South Carolina and the Brunswick County coastline during high tide on Saturday, mainly from 3 to 6 p.m. Minor flooding is also possible along the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Significant wind impacts are not expected with this storm, but gusts and isolated damage are possible.
Life-threatening rip currents and dangerous surf are expected for all Wilmington-area beaches on Saturday and Sunday, the National Weather Service said. An elevated rip current threat will likely linger through early next week.
The slow-moving tropical depression is expected to move toward the north-northwest later Saturday, followed by a turn northward and then northeastward Sunday night.
The center of the system is expected to move near or over the coast of South Carolina on Sunday morning, according to the hurricane center's 5 a.m. briefing on Saturday.
HURRICANE PREDICTIONS: Can NC residents expect a busy or quiet season?
The first two named systems of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, Andrea and Barry, quickly dissipated without strengthening into much or having any impacts on the U.S. mainland, although Barry did bring heavy rains to central Mexico.
Forecasters are expecting an above-average hurricane season, largely driven by the continuing warming of the world's oceans thanks to climate change.
Colorado State University is predicting a an estimated 17 named storms and nine hurricanes in 2025. Of those hurricanes, four are predicted to reach major hurricane strength, Category 3 or stronger with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
AccuWeather is forecasting between 13 and 18 named storms, including seven to 10 hurricanes. Three to five of those could reach major hurricane status.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, which includes the National Hurricane Center, also is expecting an above-average hurricane season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through the end of November.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tropical Storm Chantal to impact Wilmington, NC, Brunswick County
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