Tropical storm watches issued for beach getaways as system develops
The season’s third named storm is likely to develop this weekend
The United States’ first landfalling tropical system of the year is likely this weekend after a tropical depression formed off the southeastern coast on Friday afternoon.
Tropical storm watches are in effect for some popular coastal destinations—many of which are busy for the holiday weekend.
Even a small and weak storm can cause serious impacts when it makes landfall. These early systems are a reminder for folks to prepare for the heart of hurricane season, which arrives in August and September.
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Depression likely to form into Chantal by Saturday
Hurricane Hunters flying through a disturbance off the Georgia coast found that it formed into Tropical Depression Three on Friday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects the system to develop into Tropical Storm Chantal by Saturday before making landfall near Charleston, South Carolina.
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Tropical storm watches are in effect for the South Carolina coast from Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet, including the cities of Charleston and Myrtle Beach. These are popular destinations for both Canadian and American travellers heading south to enjoy the warm weather.
Gusty winds and heavy rain will follow the system inland over the Carolinas through the end of the holiday weekend.
Rip currents will pose the greatest hazard to beachgoers this weekend. Stay out of the water if told to by local officials, and know how to escape a rip current if you’re caught in one.
If the forecast comes to pass, this will be our third tropical storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Despite the relatively sluggish start to the season, experts expect an above-average season in the months ahead. We don’t arrive at the peak of hurricane season until late August and early September.
Coastal residents anywhere along the Atlantic basin are reminded to prepare for hurricanes well in advance of a storm’s formation and arrival. Storms and their remnants can bring gusty winds, tornadoes, and flooding rains hundreds of kilometres inland from the point of landfall.