Storm tracker: Chantal downgraded to tropical depression after landfall
The center said early Sunday, July 6 that the storm made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina at about 4 a.m. local time. The storm was about 20 miles southwest of Lumberton, North Carolina and about 80 miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina as of 11 a.m., the center said, moving at about 9 mph northward.
Flash flooding remains a threat as rainbands from the storm move inland across northeastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina.
Maximum sustained winds are at about 35 mph, the center said, a decrease from 40-50 mph winds in early Sunday and late Saturday reports. Tropical Depression Chantal will continue to produce heavy rainfall across portions of central North Carolina into Monday, July 7 the center said, with total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches expected and local amounts up to 6 inches.
The now discontinued tropical storm warning applied to over 100 miles of coastline stretching from South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.
Though it has now been downgraded, National Hurricane Center forecasters said the storm is expected to continue to weaken as it moves inland, and the system is forecast to degenerate into a trough of low pressure on Monday. It's expected to turn northeastward throughout Sunday and into Monday, with forecasts anticipating the center of Chantal to move over eastern North Carolina through Sunday evening.
What is a tropical storm?
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Tropical Depression Chantal tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How to Watch the First Northern Lights of August Tonight
The aurora borealis will be visible from several parts of the United States on Friday, Aug. 1NEED TO KNOW The northern lights will be active on Friday, Aug. 1, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s forecast The rare, colorful display is expected to be visible from Earth in select location across the United States The northern lights have a three on the Kp-index that ranges from zero to nine, which means the auroras can be "quite pleasing to look at" under perfect conditionsThe cosmos are sizzling this August! The month is starting off strong with another round of northern lights, expected to color the night sky across several parts of the United States on Friday, Aug. 1, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s forecast. The astronomical event, also known as the aurora borealis, is forecast a three on the Kp-index that ranges from zero to nine. This means that the display can be "quite pleasing to look at" under perfect conditions. Those who reside in the northernmost areas of the U.S. have greater chances at catching a glimpse of the display if the weather aligns, meaning no clouds or rain that could hinder visibility from Earth. It's important to avoid light pollution, too, which could drown out the vibrant hues. Artificial light pollution aside, like city lights, the moon's glow could also negatively impact the auroras. Fortunately, this month's full moon — nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon — doesn't peak until Aug. 9, so it's currently only 49% illuminated as it's amid its waxing crescent phase. The chance to watch the northern lights from several parts of the U.S. is a rare phenomenon, however, there's many many opportunities across the country in the last year alone. Most recently, NOAA's forecast predicted visibility for northern areas on July 30. Now, read on for how to watch the northern lights tonight! When will the northern lights be visible? The northern lights are expected to be visible on Friday evening, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s forecast. For the best chances at spotting them, cast your eyes to the sky in the hours before and after midnight, specifically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Note, it's impossible to view the auroras during daylight hours — so darkest is best! Since the northern lights have a three on the Kp-index, the auroras will move further away from the poles and have the potential to be "quite pleasing to look at" under perfect conditions. Where will the northern lights be visible? Skywatchers who live in the northernmost areas of the country have the best chances at viewing the colorful display from Earth tonight. Locations include Alaska, the northeastern tip of Washington, northern Idaho, northern Montana, most of North Dakota, Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. (Be sure to check NOAA's aurora forecast for the most accurate updates throughout the night.) How to watch the northern lights? The best part about the northern lights is that no advanced technology is necessary to spot them from Earth. Simply all that's needed is the naked eye, a dark viewpoint and a state that's in NOAA's predicted aurora viewline. Then, all sky gazers have to do is point their eyes to the sky and look up! How to take photos of the northern lights? If you didn't take a photo of the northern lights, did you really see them in person? Fortunately, many smartphones have the technological capability to capture the auroras with a simple click of a button! All smartphone users have to do is switch on the "Night Mode" settings on the device. Then, point the lens to the sky and snap away! Read the original article on People
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Flash flooding threat returns to Southeast as powerful front brings on heavy rain
Another days-long stretch of soggy weather is plaguing the Southeast, raising fears of flash flooding and washing out another precious summer weekend along its popular beaches. A powerful cold front that brought deadly flooding to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast is sliding south into the Southeast over the weekend, where it will essentially park into next week. Advertisement There is even a low chance of the front spawning some tropical development in the Atlantic, or along the Southeast coast, or even back toward the Gulf Coast, depending on favorable atmospheric conditions. 'It's a boundary over warm sea-surface temperatures,' FOX Weather Meteorologist Ian Oliver said. 'If it hangs around too long, it's going to have a chance at developing at least some tropical characteristics.' However, the chances of tropical development remain low. Regardless, the front has tapped into plenty of tropically infused moisture, and heavy downpours are expected across the Southeast. Advertisement Rainfall totals could reach 2–3 inches in many areas, with isolated amounts of 3-5 inches possible, according to the FOX Forecast Center. NOAA's Weather Prediction Center has placed a swath of the Carolinas at a level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk through Friday, shifting to coastal Georgia and South Carolina on Saturday. 4 Another days-long stretch of soggy weather is plaguing the Southeast, raising fears of flash flooding and washing out another precious summer weekend along its popular beaches. Fox Weather 4 Flood waters from the French Broad River cover the River Arts District in Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Jacob Biba/Citizen Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Advertisement The coastal Carolinas and the mountains of western North and South Carolina have the greatest risk of getting more than 3 inches within a 6-hour period. That includes cities like Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Wilmington, North Carolina. FOX Weather Meteorologist Bayne Froney noted that ponding had already started near her location in Wilmington Friday morning after just 20 minutes of rain. 4 Roads flooded and vehicles were stranded on Sunday, July 6, 2025 in Moore County, North Carolina. WRAL Advertisement 4 There is even a low chance of the front spawning some tropical development in the Atlantic, or along the Southeast coast, or even back toward the Gulf Coast, depending on the atmosphere. Fox Weather Flooding driven by tropical downpours has been a common theme in the weather pattern for the Southeast over the past month. Chantal made landfall on the South Carolina coast in early July, and two other tropical disturbances have moved across the Southeast since then. The flooding threat decreases Sunday into the workweek, but the forecast remains generally wet.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tropical Storm Gil forms in the Pacific, expected to become hurricane: See tracker
Iona has weakened into a tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean while another storm – Tropical Storm Gil – has formed and continues to strengthen. In an advisory issued at 11 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time on Wednesday, July 30, the National Hurricane Center said Gil has formed well to the south-southwest of the southern Baja California peninsula. The hurricane center said the storm was located about 785 miles away from the southern tip of the peninsula with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts, with a turn to the north-northwest expected over the next couple of days. "Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Gil is forecast to become a hurricane on Friday," hurricane center forecasters said July 30. Iona, meanwhile, will continue on its westward path into Friday, followed by a gradual turn toward the north-northwest over the weekend, according to the NHC. Iona has maxiumum sustained winds near 50 mph with higher gusts, with additional weakning expected through Thursday. Tropical Storm Gil path tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Tropical Storm Gil spaghetti models This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. NHC tracking two other systems in the Pacific The hurricane center said in a July 30 advisory it is also keeping tabs on two other systems in the Pacific Ocean. The first system is a broad area of low pressure located about 800 miles southest of Hilo, Hawaii that is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. "Although the system lacks a well-defined low-level center at this time, some additional development is possible, and a short-lived tropical depression could still form during the next day or so," the hurricane center said in the advisory, noting that after that time, environmental conditions are expected to become less conducive for further development. The hurricane center gives the system a 40% chance of formation through the next 48 hours. A second area of low pressure is expected to form well south of southwestern Mexico in the next couple of days, hurricane center forecasters said. "Environmental conditions appear conducive for some gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form over the weekend or early next week" as the system moves west-northwestward, the hurricane center said, giving the system a 70% chance of formation through the next seven days. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm tracker: Gil forms in Pacific, could become hurricane
