Atlantic’s Third Named Storm Brings Showers, Rough Seas to Southeast Coast
Tropical Storm Chantal has officially formed in the Atlantic Ocean this Saturday morning, becoming the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm, which evolved from a zone on AccuWeather meteorologists’ radar since mid-June, is expected to bring sporadic showers, thunderstorms, and building seas to the East Coast of Florida and northward to the Carolina Outer Banks.
As of Saturday morning, Chantal’s center is approximately 150 miles south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, with maximum sustained winds around 40 mph, moving northward at a slow 2 mph. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect from the South Santee River in South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina.
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According to AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, this is a “classic example of homegrown development,” typical for July in the region. The formation of Chantal follows Tropical Storms Andrea and Barry earlier in June, marking an active start to the hurricane season.
The primary impacts of Chantal will be felt along the coast, with a falling barometric pressure leading to a developing circular wind field. This will cause breezes to stiffen along the coast and over adjacent Atlantic waters, resulting in building seas and surf from the Florida Atlantic coast to the North Carolina Outer Banks throughout the extended Independence Day weekend. Wind gusts of 40 mph or greater are anticipated along the coast of South Carolina and southern North Carolina today.
“Waters are sufficiently warm in the region, generally in the 80s Fahrenheit, plus the Gulf Stream will continuously feed warm water as seas become rough and upwelling begins,” DaSilva stated.
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While Chantal is expected to strengthen further, its proximity to land and moderate wind shear in the lower and middle parts of the atmosphere are anticipated to deter explosive development. AccuWeather had initially designated the system a tropical rainstorm to raise awareness for potential heavy rain, gusty thunderstorms, and dangerous seas.
Forecasters predict that steering breezes will guide Chantal northwestward and then northward through the weekend into early next week. The storm’s ability to remain over water will be a key factor in its ultimate strength and the extent of heavy rainfall it brings.
Current indications suggest a zone of clouds and downpours with localized gusty winds may track north along the Mid-Atlantic coast early next week. This could potentially temper a building area of heat from the Midwest, though heat could be enhanced over the Appalachians just west of the storm’s influence.
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Elsewhere in the tropical Atlantic, large areas of dry air, wind shear, and Saharan dust are expected to limit tropical development in the short term, a common occurrence for July.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific, AccuWeather is monitoring a new area of showers and thunderstorms that is projected to soon evolve into the next tropical depression and storm, following the dissipation of Flossie and the brewing of Gil.
Coastal residents from Florida to the Carolinas are advised to stay informed of the latest forecasts and be prepared for deteriorating conditions, including hazardous rip currents and localized flooding, as Tropical Storm Chantal continues its slow northward trek.
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