05.07.2025 13:23

Tropical Storm Chantal, the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, has unexpectedly developed off the South Carolina coast. Initially a low-pressure system, its intensification into a tropical storm was anticipated by some forecasters earlier in the week.

By 8 AM EDT on July 5th, Chantal boasted maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, moving slowly northward at a mere 2 mph. This relatively slow pace increases the potential for significant rainfall accumulation in affected areas.

The formation of Chantal is unusual; typically, the third named Atlantic storm doesn't appear until early August. This early development has caught many vacationers along the Georgia and South Carolina coastlines off guard, despite prior warnings issued throughout the week.

As of Saturday morning, the National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the area from the South Santee River in South Carolina to Cape Fear in North Carolina. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Edisto Beach to the South Santee River, indicating that tropical storm conditions are anticipated within the next 24 hours.

The primary threat from Chantal lies not in its wind speeds, but in its potential for heavy rainfall. Significant downpours, ranging from 2 to 6 inches, are forecast from Charleston, South Carolina, to Hatteras, North Carolina. Areas near the South Carolina-North Carolina border are particularly at risk of experiencing the most intense rainfall. Landfall is expected sometime Saturday or early Sunday, likely just south of the state border.