Tropical Storm Chantal expected to make landfall overnight in coastal South Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tropical Storm Chantal formed Saturday at 8 a.m., per the National Hurricane Center. It’s currently located about 95 miles south-southeast of Charleston, S.C. and is forecasted to make landfall along the South Carolina coast by Sunday morning. 

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for South Santee River, S.C. to Surf City, N.C. A Tropical Storm Watch is in place from Edisto Beach, S.C. to South Santee River, SC.

Regardless of development, heavy rain has already begun for portions of the coastal Carolinas and gets heavier and more widespread overnight. Our impacts locally are minimal with highest rain chances from Greensboro and Raleigh toward the beaches.

Highest impacts are well to our east across the coastal Carolinas. Chantal is an extremely lopsided system so the worst rain and wind is far from the center.

Center comes onshore overnight with rain in the Charlotte area from late morning through midday. It’s in and out very quickly!

RELATED: NWS warning about the dangers of rip currents along the Carolina coast

• Coastal North Carolina and South Carolina already seeing heavy rain and continues overnight
• Rip current danger will be high throughout Monday for both the North and South Carolina beaches
• Marine conditions are rough and dangerous already with wave heights up to 5-10 feet offshore
• Wind gusts along the Carolina shores could reach 20 – 30 mph
• Locally, watch for heavy rain Sunday before quickly moving out!

RELATED: Weather IQ: What the different color beach flags mean

• Check forecasts daily, especially if you live in the Southeast, especially coastal area
• Be prepared for localized flooding or downpours, mainly near the coast and offshore.
• If you’re boating or at the beach, monitor marine warnings closely!
• Know what different beach flags mean and when it is, and isn’t, safe to swim.