Will potential tropical cyclone affect South Carolina, Greenville? What to know.

A tropical storm is likely to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast

The tropical rainstorm causing flooding in Puerto Rico right now is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm before hitting Florida. A developing tropical storm currently passing over Cuba may impact parts of South Carolina and North Carolina by the middle of next week. The storm could bring heavy precipitation, rough surf, and other impacts to these regions.

What is Potential Tropical Cyclone Four?

At 11 a.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory for “potential tropical cyclone four.” In the update, the tropical depression was shown over Cuba, with the long-term path of the storm moving into the Gulf of Mexico before swinging back over Florida and into the Atlantic. The cone of uncertainty, which shows the storm’s probable path, includes much of SC. However, many variables remain, including the strength of the still-developing storm and its exact eventual path. If the system strengthens into a tropical storm as currently predicted, its name would be Debby, the fourth named storm of the season.

Chances for Development

As of late Friday morning, the depression was about 420 miles southeast of Key West. “A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for the southwest coast of the Florida peninsula from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach,” stated the hurricane center’s 11 a.m. advisory. “A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for the Florida Keys south of the Card Sound Bridge including the Dry Tortugas, the southern coast of the Florida peninsula east of East Cape Sable to the Card Sound bridge, and for the west coast of the Florida peninsula north of Bonita Beach to Aripeka.”

What to Expect in the Greenville Area?

Weather for the upcoming week is highly dependent on the development of the tropical storm. How quickly the steering winds push the storm north-northeast up toward Florida’s panhandle and back over land will determine the severity of associated weather. The hurricane center’s update currently has the system passing over northern Florida late Sunday and reentering the Atlantic on Monday morning. Then, predictions show the storm hugging the coast as it moves up the Eastern Seaboard toward the Carolinas. Again, many variables can impact where the system will move. Currently, NOAA forecasts for the weekend are showing high temperatures in the 90s with overnight showers and thunderstorms predicted. No high winds are forecasted so far.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Four Details

Location: 90 miles east-southeast of Camaguey, Cuba; 420 miles southeast of Key West

Maximum sustained winds: 30 mph

Movement: west-northwest at 16 mph

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the S.C. coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.