tropical weather

Forecasters are monitoring two areas of disturbed weather in the Atlantic. The tropical wave that is in the central Atlantic has the better chance of developing once it moves into the Caribbean Sea.

Tropical Storm Imelda will stay offshore the Carolinas but will still help to produce heavy rain, rough surf, rip currents and minor coastal flooding. Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto churns in the Atlantic, adding to hazardous beach conditions.

Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected across much of South Carolina ahead of Tropical storm Imelda.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is forecast to strengthen into Imelda as it moves toward the Carolinas, bringing threats of strong winds, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding early next week. Forecasters warn that impacts could include power outages, downed trees, a significant storm surge and 5 to 10 inches of rain, with the greatest risk along South Carolina’s coastal communities.

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency Friday ahead of potential severe tropical weather impacts to the state

Hurricane Humberto strengthened into a Category 1 cyclone on Friday and is expected to pass safely north of the Lesser Antilles. Forecasters are also closely monitoring Invest 94L near Hispaniola, which could threaten the Southeast U.S. next week.

The Atlantic basin hurricane season is experiencing its quietest peak in more than 30 years, with dry air and stable atmospheric conditions limiting storm formation. Forecasters warn that late-season activity could still produce a hurricane threat for the U.S.

More hurricanes formed after this season's peak compared to years past and they took lives hundreds of miles from the coast.

An Atlantic hurricane season with 14 named storms has ended, leaving residents in the Florida Keys to celebrate even as others around Florida and Puerto Rico continue to deal with the damage caused by Hurricanes Ian, Nicole and Fiona. Of the 2022 season's named storms, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says eight became hurricanes, with winds of at least 74 mph. Two fo them intensified to major hurricanes with winds reaching at least 111 mph.

Tropical Storm Nicole is now a depression dumping heavy rain in places from Georgia to New York. Flooding is still possible in urban and mountain areas, with as much as 8 inches of rainfall predicted for the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dozens of homes and high-rises have been declared structurally unsafe in the Daytona Beach area. The buildings were evacuated as Nicole's storm surge compromised their foundations. Some houses lost their backsides as the storm swallowed the shore. At least three deaths were reported — a man and woman electrocuted by a downed power line and a man whose yacht was slammed by waves against a dock.