National Hurricane Center flags area to watch for possible tropical development as system soaks Gulf Coast

A storm system spinning off the southeastern US coastline has caught the attention of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) with a small chance of developing into a tropical system.

Much like what was previously known as Invest 93L earlier this month, a trough of low pressure at the southern end of a frontal boundary is forecast to move west-southwestward into the north-central portion of the Gulf, according to the NHC. 

There, environmental conditions could allow for some slow development if the system remains far enough offshore.

However, by this weekend, the system is likely to move inland, ending its chances for development. 

Though much like Invest 93L, the threat of heavy rain and thunderstorms will persist if the trough eventually develops into a tropical system.

The NHC is currently just giving a low chance of development.

In terms of rainfall totals, about 2–3 inches could fall across much of the northern Gulf Coast, with some locally higher amounts.

Widespread flash flooding isn’t expected, but isolated flooding could pop up in pockets of heavy precipitation sitting over an area for too long.

The disturbance may have less of a chance to develop when compared to Invest 93L because the previous event had more of an organized structure when compared to the current system.

That said, the southerly flow along the northern Gulf will likely last for days, leading to an increased risk for rip currents along area beaches.

A medium risk of rip currents is expected along the Florida Panhandle from Destin to Port St. Joe, as well as along the Atlantic coast from Daytona Beach southward through Melbourne and West Palm Beach, through the last weekend of July.

Impacts already felt along Southeast coast

Flooding has already been experienced in parts of the South Carolina Low Country as the combination of higher tides and heavy rainfall made streets around Charleston look more like ponds.

Downtown Charleston received just over an inch of rainfall on Monday, but with nowhere for the water to go, flooding was reported on several roadways.

Minor saltwater flooding was also reported around Charleston Harbor on Tuesday – impacts that will continue until the disturbed area of weather moves through the Gulf.