CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A tropical storm watch is in effect for portions of the South Carolina coast after Tropical Depression Three formed less than 200 miles from Charleston.
The watch extends from Edisto Beach in Colleton County to Little River Inlet at the South Carolina-North Carolina line.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
The third tropical depression of the season formed Friday afternoon off the coast of South Carolina, according to new data.
As of 11 p.m., the center of Tropical Depression Three was located near latitude 30.6 north, longitude 78.9 west, about 165 miles south-southeast of Charleston.
The depression has been nearly stationary on Friday night. A slow motion towards the north-northwest is expected to begin on Saturday, followed by a motion toward the north Saturday night and northeast Sunday night.
On the forecast track, the center of the depression is expected to move near or over the coast of South Carolina Sunday morning.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm on Saturday.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1012 mb or 29.89 inches.
Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Lexie Horvath says heavy rainfall is possible across coastal sections of the Carolinas beginning later on Saturday.
If the depression does become a tropical storm, it would take the name Chantal and become the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
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