Tropical depression forms off Florida’s coast, TS watch for South Carolina
The disturbance that moved from over North Florida to off North Florida’s Atlantic Coast became Tropical Depression 3 Friday afternoon.
The National Hurricane Center issued its 5 p.m. advisory at about 4:35 p.m. to announce the system’s upgrade and expects the system to be Tropical Storm Chantal by Saturday.
Tropical Depression 3
Where it is and where it’s going: The system is about 150 miles south-southeast of Charleston and about 245 miles south-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina.
“A slow motion toward the north-northwest is expected through Saturday,followed by a motion toward the north Saturday night and Sunday,” the hurricane center said. “On the forecast track, the center of the depression is expected to move near or over the coast of South Carolina on Sunday morning.”
Strength and speed: Top sustained winds measure 35 mph. It’s moseying north at 2 mph.
“Gradual strengthening is expected, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm on Saturday,” the hurricane center said.
Watches and warnings: A tropical storm watch has been issued from South Carolina’s Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet. This menas tropical storm conditions are possible in the next 48 hours.
Effects: Heavy rains in the Carolinas’ coastal plains, generally 2 to 4 inches but up to 6 inches in some places, is expected. A 1 to 2-food storm surge is possible in the tropical storm watch area.
Obviously, rip currents and dangerously rough surf will be the norm this weekend.
Next update: There will be an intermediate advisory at 8 p.m. and a full advisory at 11 p.m.
This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Tropical depression forms off Florida’s coast, TS watch for South Carolina."
