Coastal storm dogs beaches from O.C. south
Last week's NWS forecasts for a sunny week having been, um, revised, the coastal low that's partly responsible for the change is threatening heavy rains, coastal flooding, strong winds and rip currents from Ocean City southward to the Outer Banks.
This is not a tropical storm, and forecasters say there's only a small chance it will become one. But it is a spoiler for anyone planning to enjoy some extended post-Labor-Day beach time. The weather service says winds will be running 15 to 25 mph along the coast, with surf in the 4 to 6-foot range, and a high risk of dangerous rip currents. Here's more on that.
There are also flood watches posted Monday night and Tuesday for portions of coastal Virginia and North Carolina. Here's more on that.
In the meantime, the 7th tropical depression of the 2009 Atlantic season has formed in the far eastern Atlantic. But it does not appear likely to become a threat to the western hemisphere. Here is the latest advisory. Here is the forecast storm track. And here is the view from orbit.
If it does make it to tropical storm force, it will become Tropical Storm Fred.
