FIRST ALERT: Developing low brings wind and rain for the weekend

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - We continue to keep an eye on a developing low pressure off the coast of the Carolinas and Georgia for the end of the week and into the weekend.

DEVELOPING LOW PRESSURE

Our forecast for the end of the week and into the weekend still has plenty of uncertainty at this point. An area of low pressure is forecast to develop off the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia by Thursday. This will have the potential to show some tropical characteristics with the wind and rain, but should remain weaker. The National Hurricane Center has highlighted this area in the recent update stating “This system could acquire some subtropical characteristics this weekend while it moves generally northward. Regardless of subtropical development, this low could bring gusty winds, heavy rain, and high surf conditions to portions of the coastal Carolinas into the coastal Mid-Atlantic states this weekend.”

We’re just now starting to get a look at some of the high resolution data, which likes a low pressure closer to the coast and a faster arrival for the rain. Any shifts or changes to the intensity and our forecast will change for the weekend.

OTHER CHANCE OF DEVELOPMENT

A tropical wave is currently located just off the west coast of Africa. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for gradual development, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or this weekend while the system moves generally westward at 10 to 15 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. The chance of development is at 70% for the next week.

HURRICANE NIGEL

The center of Hurricane Nigel was located near latitude 36.1 North, longitude 54.4 West. Nigel is moving toward the north near 18 mph . A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today, followed by a faster northeastward motion over the next day or two. Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Nigel is forecast to become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 975 mb. Nigel poses no threat to the United States.

Copyright 2023 WMBF. All rights reserved.