Tropical Storm Chantal Marks Debut as First U.S. Hurricane Season Impactor
**Tropical Storm Chantal Heads Towards Southeast Coast**
Tropical Storm Chantal, the third named system of the Atlantic hurricane season, is making its way towards the Southeast coast of the United States. Formed off the Southeast coast early Saturday morning, the storm is expected to make landfall around or just after noon on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in the area between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The storm is forecast to strengthen some through Saturday night, with winds of around 40-45 mph mainly on the northern side of its circulation at landfall. The primary impacts for areas between Charleston and Myrtle Beach will be heavy rainfall and rough surf. Rainfall amounts have been updated to possibly 4 to 6 inches, particularly near the SC/NC border from Myrtle Beach northward.
Residents and visitors in this region should be prepared for moderate winds, significant rainfall possibly leading to flash flooding, and hazardous surf conditions this weekend. The storm surge in areas of onshore winds is expected to reach 1 to 2 feet. Due to this rainfall, there is a slight risk (level 2 out of 4) for flash flooding in this region.
Additionally, the storm will bring a high risk of rip currents and rough surf along both the South Carolina and North Carolina coasts through the weekend, so caution is advised for beachgoers. After landfall, Chantal is expected to weaken and dissipate by Monday morning as it moves inland.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country, particularly the Northeast and West, is expected to have calm, mostly clear skies for the July 4th weekend. However, Texas and the Upper Midwest could experience strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail throughout the weekend. Torrential rainfall in Texas on Friday morning triggered deadly flooding, causing rivers to overflow and flood nearby campgrounds and homes.
In summary, residents and visitors between Charleston and Myrtle Beach should prepare for a weak tropical storm with moderate winds, significant rainfall possibly leading to flash flooding, and hazardous surf conditions this weekend. Stay tuned for updates as the storm approaches.
[1] National Hurricane Center: Tropical Storm Chantal Forecast Discussion, July 4, 2025 [2] National Weather Service: Tropical Storm Chantal Advisory 11, July 4, 2025
The approach of Tropical Storm Chantal, an environmental-science phenomenon, threatens to intensify, bringing heavy rainfall and rough surf to the areas between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this weekend. As the storm progresses, weather patterns in the region may lead to flash flooding, which is a risk that scientists have alerted the public about.
