Tropical storm nears SC coast

A tropical depression continued moving toward the South Carolina coast Saturday and is expected to intensify slightly into Tropical Storm Bonnie by the time it makes landfall later in the day or early Sunday.

While not expected to cause much if any wind damage, the storm is forecast to bring heavy rain and a risk of dangerous rip currents to the Carolinas beaches on the first holiday weekend of the summer season.

The storm also is forecast to help develop showers and thunderstorms Sunday in the Charlotte area, although one meteorologist said the heaviest rain could be gone in time for Sunday evening’s Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Forecasters said the strength of the storm will determine how much rain falls in the Charlotte area.

Harry Gerapetritis, of the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C., said it is possible that rain bands may move through Charlotte late Saturday night and early Sunday.

“Interestingly, if this happens, it may keep the Charlotte area more stable for the (NASCAR) race in the evening,” Gerapetritis said.

However, he added, confidence in the forecast is low, because meteorologists aren’t sure how strong the tropical system will be.

Either way, forecasters expect drier conditions Monday, with little chance for rain and high temperatures in the mid 80s.

Winds up to 40 mph

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire South Carolina coast.

Along the coast, authorities cautioned visitors and residents to be careful in the water but said they don’t expect the storm to cause major problems.

The Myrtle Beach area, for example, is host to a motorcyclists’ event in Atlantic Beach and Memorial Day-related events Saturday and Monday. Myrtle Beach spokesman Mark Kruea told the Sun News that “a little rain never hurt” and he expects activities to go on as usual.

On Saturday morning, the center of the tropical depression was about 225 miles south-southeast of Charleston. The system was moving northwest 14 mph with top sustained winds of 35 mph.

“The depression has a small opportunity to strengthen a little during the next 24 hours while it moves over the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream,” said meteorologist Lixion Avila of the National Hurricane Center.

The official forecast calls for top winds of 40 mph when the system, expected to be Tropical Storm Bonnie at that point, makes landfall somewhere near or just north of Charleston. After that, forecasters said, weak steering currents are expected to take the system very slowly northeast-ward, along the Carolinas coast, on Sunday and Monday.

Emily Timte, of the National Weather Service office in Charleston, said the most likely area for any wind damage would be in the Charleston metro area, saying “winds of this magnitude may bring down a few trees and power lines.”

Rain, however, is expected to be the major issue. From 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected to fall from midday Saturday, when the first rain bands from the system reach the coast, until the storm pushes away early next week.

The Wilmington-Myrtle Beach area is expected to get up to 3 inches, but meteorologist Michael Caropolo, of the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, said some locally heavier amounts are possible.

Caropolo said rip current risks will be “moderate” Saturday and could increase Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to be pushed inland by the system late Saturday and Sunday, but forecasters said they are not sure how far inland.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach contributed.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Tropical storm nears SC coast."