CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A tropical storm warning has been issued for the South Carolina coast after forecasters say the second tropical cyclone of the Atlantic season formed.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the warning issued Friday extends across the entire South Carolina coast. The warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area within 36 hours.
Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast Saturday night. About 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected to fall over parts of coastal Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
The depression has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and is centered about 435 miles (695 kilometers) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.
Rain from a tropical system developing along the coast will impact the Memorial Day weekend across the Carolinas.
It will be hot and humid in the Charlotte area Friday and Saturday with temperatures near 90.
"We'll have some pop up storms, but nothing really associated with the tropical system," said Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich.
The impact for the coastal communities along the coast will be an increase in rain chances Saturday through Monday. Winds also start to pick-up with the strength dependent on the track and intensity of the storm.
"This is not going to be a huge system by any stretch," Panovich said. "The intensity is right around a minimal tropical depression with winds 40-45 max. Wind is not going to be an issue. To me, rain is going to be a much bigger issue."
One thing for sure is rip currents will be strong and dangerous. Anyone traveling to the beach this holiday weekend should keep track of the latest updates.
Communities away from the coast will see rain chances increasing Sunday and Monday along with breezy conditions.
Early Saturday morning there really won't be anything in Charlotte or along the coast in terms of rain. Throughout the day some broken lines of showers will make their way towards the coast.
Bands of showers will arrive along the coast in the afternoon. It doesn't look like a total washout for any of the beaches along the Carolina coast.
In the Charlotte area we'll get some rain, but it will be scattered. Sunday afternoon there will be some scattered storms as well.
"I do think there will be a heavy rain band that will set up in the area that might impact the Coca-Cola 600," Panovich said.
Hurricane season officially begins on June 1.
We'll keep updating you as this system develops.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
