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Busier Atlantic hurricane season predicted

At 8 p.m., a tropical storm warning was in effect for the SC coast from Savannah River to Little River Inlet, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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The unnamed weather system was upgraded to a tropical depression Friday evening by the National Hurricane Center with winds of 34 miles per hour.

Heavy rain, whipping winds and unsafe waves could hit the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida over the holiday weekend, forecasters said.

“This is a more challenging hurricane season outlook than most because it’s hard to determine whether there will be reinforcing or competing climate influences on tropical storm development.” the center’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Dr. Gerry Bell said. The warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area within 36 hours.

Tropical depression #2 forms east of Florida. tropical storm WARNING for coastal S. Carolina. check ahead for updated forecasts if traveling north to the Carolina’s. Bonnie would be the first tropical storm to make landfall this year, three days before the official start to 2016’s hurricane season on June 1.

The 2015 season was slightly below average with 11 named storms, including two tropical storms that made landfall and caused flooding in SC and Texas. One to three inches of rainfall are forecast along the low country of SC and coastal North Carolina.

The U.S. Air Force sent a Hurricane Hunter plane to the storm late Friday afternoon to gather more information.

There could be one to three inches of rain from eastern SC through southeastern North Carolina. Loewenthal said should the flight find closed circulation within the system, it could be upgraded to a tropical depression. By comparison, 2015 saw 11 named storms, including four hurricanes, of which two were major, according to federal data.

Storm winds can reach frightening speeds, but they aren’t the deadliest threat.

NOAA released their 2016 Atlantic hurricane outlook Friday.

Inlet, as the system is expected to intensify and impact the area over the weekend.

As it does every year, NOAA called for preparedness, noting it only takes one storm for a bad season.

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Subtropical cyclones typically are associated with upper-level lows and have colder temperatures aloft, whereas tropical cyclones are fully warm-core, and upper-level high-pressure systems overhead help facilitate their intensification. Highs in the mid 80s.

Tropical storm warning issued for South Carolina