Tropical Depression Approximately 225 Miles South of Charleston…in May!

By Michael LeSeney, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist

Tropical Depression 2 is located about 225 miles to the south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and is tracking to the northwest at 14 mph. The storm is being steered to the northwest around the periphery of an area of high pressure located to just north of Bermuda. An upper-level trough of low pressure to the east of Florida continues to create unfavorable wind shear over the depression. However, the storm is tracking over warm Gulf Stream waters and some slow strengthening will occur today, perhaps developing into Tropical Storm Bonnie by tonight.

High pressure will continue to steer the system on a northwestward track today and tonight, nearing the South Carolina coast early on Sunday morning. The storm may make landfall near Charleston, South Carolina, after daybreak on Sunday. Once inland, the storm will then turn to the northeast and move parallel to the South and North Carolina coasts on Sunday and Monday.

The main impacts for the Carolina coastal areas this weekend will be heavy rainfall, rough surf, beach erosion and deadly rip currents. Heavy rain will become a concern on Monday farther north through the mid-Atlantic states and is likely to affect the I-95 corridor into southern New England on Monday.