Reconnaissance aircraft investigating the area of disturbed weather located east of the coast of northeast Florida have found a increasingly more organized system. They also have found a system with 30-35 mph maximum winds and because of this, Invest 92-L has been upgraded to Tropical Depression #3.

Additional strengthening is likely and I fully expect to see this system become a tropical storm as soon as later tonight or during the day on Saturday. Once the depression is upgraded to a tropical storm, it’s name will be Chantal.

TD 3 is expected to gradually move north and northwestward during later tonight and during the day on Saturday. TD 3 is expected to come ashore along the coast of South Carolina as a 40-50 mph tropical storm late Saturday night or during Sunday morning.

Even though it will be a tropical storm, the main effects from this system will be heavy rainfall, which will affect the coastal Carolinas throughout Saturday and Sunday. Rainfall totals of up to 2 to 4 inches can be expected across eastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina.

That said, some 40-50 mph wind gusts can be expected on Saturday night into Sunday morning across coastal parts of northeast South Carolina and parts of coastal southeast and eastern North Carolina.

Next Full Discussion Will Be Sent Out on Saturday.