Article first published: Saturday, July 05, 2025, 4 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Saturday, July 05, 2025, 7 a.m. ET

System type: Tropical storm

System name: Chantal

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 7 am Saturday advisory, the tropical depression named Chantal developed into a tropical storm with winds of 40 mph. Chantal was previously forecasted as a tropical depression but has since gained strength. The name gain was first included in the 7 a.m. update. Tropical Storm Chantal is currently in the Atlantic Ocean, 150 miles south-southeast of Charleston South Carolina and 240 miles south-southwest of Wilmington North Carolina. With maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, it is moving to the north at 2 mph.

Portions of the Carolinas placed under a tropical storm warning by forecasters.

Today, a system that was previously forecasted as a tropical depression has been officially named Tropical Storm Chantal as it has progressed into a fully formed tropical storm. The system’s new name was first made public in the 7 a.m. advisory.

Forecasters alert: a tropical storm watch in effect for portions of South Carolina.

Changes with this advisory

The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning from the South Santee River, SC to Cape Fear, NC.

Watches and warnings currently in effect

• Tropical Storm Warning for South Santee River, SC to Cape Fear, NC

• Tropical Storm Watch for Edisto Beach to South Santee River, SC

Meaning of the different watches and warnings

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 12 hours.

Interests elsewhere along the southeast coast of the United States should monitor the progress of Chantal.

Hazards affecting land

Wind. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area beginning this evening and continuing into Sunday morning. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area beginning later today.

Rainfall. Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of the coastal plain of the Carolinas today through Monday. Storm total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts to 6 inches, is expected. Resulting in an elevated risk for flash flooding.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall and flash flooding associated with Tropical Storm Chantal, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?rainqpf

Storm surge. The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… South Santee River, SC to Cape Fear, NC…1-3 ft Edisto Beach, SC to South Santee River, SC…1-2 ft

Surf. The tropical storm is expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents along the coast from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic states during the next couple of days.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/? RipCurrents

Source: National Hurricane Center