Potential tropical storm brings inclement weather to Carolinas: Will it affect WNC?
North Carolina is facing the possibility of inclement weather due to a potential tropical cyclone forming off the coast.
According to the National Hurricane Center, as of Monday morning, the weather was classified as a "low-pressure system," not yet a tropical storm. The system picked up strength on its path northwest toward the coast of South Carolina, increasing its speed to 5 mph. Around 100 miles east of Charleston, S.C., maximum sustained winds were 50 mph.
According to a Monday morning advisory, the storm is expected to move through the Carolinas from Monday afternoon through Wednesday, and parts of N.C. are already feeling some intense effects. A noon report from the Wilmington StarNews reported 3,000 customers without power in New Hanover County and flash flooding affecting much of the coast.
Here's what to know about who will feel the effects of the low-pressure system, the potential for a tropical storm and more.
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Is a tropical storm forming?
The chances of the low-pressure system becoming a tropical storm have lessened as the storm's structure has become less organized as of the early hours of Monday. Forecasters say maximum winds are expected to slow down as it approaches the coast.
If the system does develop into a tropical storm, it will be named Helene, the next name on the 2024 list.
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Who will be affected by the storm?
A 300-mile strip of coastline across NC and SC saw tropical storm warnings on Monday morning, with predictions of "gusty winds, heavy rains and coastal flooding," according to the National Hurricane Center. An earlier tropical storm warning for a 100-mile stretch of the SC coast toward the south was discontinued at 11 a.m.
The advisory said that the areas hit hardest by the storm could see up to 8 inches of rain, with some spots seeing as much as 10 inches. "A couple" of tornadoes are also possible in eastern parts of the Carolinas through Monday night.
"Locally considerable flash and urban flooding" triggered by the rainfall was also predicted, with the Carolinas already seeing some of these effects. The entire Mid-Atlantic region is at risk of isolated floods, and rivers in southeastern NC and northeastern SC could potentially experience minor flooding through Monday night.
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Will Western NC be affected by the potential tropical storm?
An alert from the National Weather Service warned Buncombe County, as well as much of WNC, the Piedmont, and Upstate SC, of the storm. The NWS warned of heavy rainfall, which is expected to start Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, with possible isolated flash flooding. Strong wind gusts are also possible Monday through early Tuesday morning.
The threat of heavy rain is expected to move north of the area by late Tuesday, with some additional heavy rain possible along the NC escarpment on Tuesday.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Is a tropical storm forming? Inclement weather hits Carolinas
