Tropical Depression #3 Meanders In the Atlantic

After forming along the coast of the South Carolina on the Fourth of July, Tropical Depression #3 continues to drift in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The system is expected to stregthen today, potentially becoming "Chantel."

As of 2 a.m. EDT, Tropical Depression #3 was located near 30.6 N and 78.8 W, or about 165 miles from Charleston, S.C., and has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. It is stationary with a pressure of 1012 mb or 29.89 inches of mercury.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued from Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Little River Inlet, South Carolina. 

Tropical Depression #3 will slowly move off to the north and northwest over the next 24 hours and bring locally heavy rain to the coast of the Carolinas, particularly later this afternoon into Sunday. Rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible right along the coast. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph will occur along the South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina coasts, with higher wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph near the central South Carolina coast as it is making landfall.  

It is forecast to become Tropical Storm Chantal later this morning or by this afternoon. Chantal will likely be a weak tropical storm before it makes landfall in South Carolina on Sunday.   

This system is expected to move inland on Sunday and weaken into Sunday night and Monday. Some leftover rain could occur in eastern Virginia into southern Maryland and Delaware on Monday. Rain amounts will generally be less than an inch.  

It is time to prepare for the hurricane season. Create a hurricane evacuation box now, before the storm, with bottled water, extra cell phone chargers, food and clothing. Scope out multiple different evacuation routes, in case your preferred route is blocked or traffic jammed.