Tropical Storm Chantal formed off the southeast U.S. coast and was forecast to bring heavy rains to parts of the Carolinas on Saturday. Tropical storm warnings were issued for portions of the two states, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.
At 5 p.m. EDT, the storm's center was located about 95 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and 165 miles south-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. Its maximum sustained winds were clocked at 45 mph, and it was moving north at 7 mph.
Tropical storm conditions could reach affected areas later Saturday as the system approaches land.
The storm's center was expected to move across the coast of South Carolina late Saturday or early Sunday, with some additional strengthening forecast before landfall.
Heavy rain was forecast for the coastal plain of the Carolinas through Monday — total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts up to 6 inches — threatening flash flooding.
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Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center expect Chantal to slowly shift north-northwest before turning northeast by Sunday night.
"The system is expected to bring rough surf and rip currents to much of southeastern United States north of northeastern Florida during the next couple of days," the National Weather Service said.
Tropical Storm Chantal is the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a 60% chance that this year’s season — which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 — will be above normal.
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