The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1, but tropical weather got a head-start this year: Hurricane Alex made an unseasonable debut in January over the far eastern Atlantic. Tropical storm status is 39 miles per hour. It was creeping northwest at a clip of 10 miles per hour, according to the NHC.
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The center warned at 2 p.m. ET that tropical storm conditions could reach coastal SC somewhere between the Savannah River, near Hilton Head Island, and the Little River Inlet either later on Saturday or early Sunday. Tropical Storm Warnings have been posted for the entire SC coastline.
Tropical depression 2 has begun to cross over the Gulf Stream and is expected to become a tropical storm sometime Saturday. The NWS said the storm is expected to strengthen later in the evening, weakening Sunday.
RIP CURRENTS – Although we won’t receive the strongest winds associated with Tropical Depression Two, you can still anticipate breezy conditions for our area. The storm is expected to move toward, and eventually into, the SC coast over the weekend. About two to four inches of rain is expected to fall over parts of coastal Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Inland wind warnings may be added later, depending on the storm’s timing and track. “Bonnie is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along portions of the southeastern United States coast through the weekend”.
Tornado/Waterspout – Risk for isolated tornadoes/waterspouts.
The Administration also offers that there is “a 70 percent chance that La Niña – which favors more hurricane activity – will be present during the peak months of hurricane season”, from August through October.
The message of the day was to prepare now.
Tropical Storm Bonnie has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, strengthening from a tropical depression. But what about the “A” named storm?
NOAA will issue an updated outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season in early August, just prior to the peak of the season.
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There is a 30% chance of an above-normal season.
