Tropical Storm Chantal Forms Off Carolina Coast, Warnings Issued for Holiday Weekend
The brewing tropical rainstorm off the US Atlantic coast has officially intensified, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgrading it to Tropical Storm Chantal as of its 8 a.m. intermediate advisory. This marks Chantal as the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, arriving as many prepare to celebrate the extended Independence Day weekend.
Chantal currently boasts maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is tracking slowly north at 2 mph. Its center is located approximately 150 miles south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and is on the move. In response to this development, the NHC has issued a Tropical Storm Warning from the South Santee River, South Carolina, to Cape Fear, North Carolina, replacing the earlier watch.
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According to AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, this is a “classic example of homegrown development,” common for July in this region. While initial impacts have been sporadic showers and thunderstorms off Florida, the system’s organization is now clear, with barometric pressure falling and a circular wind field developing. This will lead to stiffening breezes and building seas and surf from the Florida Atlantic coast to the North Carolina Outer Banks.
DaSilva noted that warm ocean waters, generally in the 80s F, and the continuous warm water feed from the Gulf Stream are fueling the storm. However, proximity to land and moderate wind shear are expected to work against explosive development.
The storm is projected to begin drifting north-northwest later today, before turning northeast by Sunday night. On its current path, the center of Tropical Storm Chantal is forecast to make landfall along the South Carolina coast Sunday morning. Residents and visitors along the Carolina coastline are urged to stay tuned for further updates, as heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf are expected to impact the region.
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AccuWeather has been monitoring this system since mid-June, emphasizing the concern for localized heavy rain, gusty thunderstorms, and potentially dangerous seas and surf. Should the storm maintain its strength or intensify slightly, wind gusts of 40 mph or greater are anticipated along the South Carolina coast on Saturday.
“Steering breezes will likely guide the tropical system northwestward and then northward during the weekend to early next week,” DaSilva previously stated. “How long it is able to remain over water may determine how strong it is able to become in terms of winds and extent of heavy rain.”
In the Eastern Pacific, AccuWeather continues to monitor another area of showers and thunderstorms that is projected to evolve into the next tropical depression and storm, which would be named Gil.
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