Tropical Storm Arthur Now A Hurricane

**UPDATE, JULY 3**

Arthur Now A Hurricane

Early Thursday morning, July 3, Tropical Storm Arthur was upgraded to hurricane status, and will only strengthen more as it moves north-northeast up towards the North Carolina Coast at 14 miles per hour.

Currently, the center of Hurricane Arthur is located 260 miles southwest of Cape Hatteras and 110 miles south-southwest of Cape Fear, North Carolina. Later Thursday, a northeast turn by Hurricane Arthur is expected, followed by an increase in speed throughout Thursday night and Friday morning. Hurricane winds extend as far as 25 miles from the center of the storm, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.

Forecasters have determined that maximum sustained winds from the storm have reached 90 miles per hour, but expect that number to go even higher within the next 24 hours possibly becoming a Category 2 Hurricane as it passes near the North Carolina coast.

Some areas along the coast, including the North Carolina islands of Ocracoke and Hatteras, have begun voluntary and mandatory evacuations.

Arthur will weaken by Friday night July 4, possibly becoming a post-tropical cyclone by Saturday.

Dangerous Conditions Created by Arthur

Tornadoes- Isolated tornadoes may occur over areas of the North Carolina coast throughout Thursday night.

Rain- Up to 3 to 5 inches of rainfall, with pockets of 7 inches of rainfall, are expected over coastal areas of North Carolina through Friday, July 4. Along the upper coast of South Carolina, forecasters predict 1 to 2 inches of rainfall to occur.

Storm surges- Storm surge mixed with high tide and large waves can cause flooding along the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts. Waters could reach as high as 3 to 5 feet within the areas in the hurricane warning area (see below), 2-4 feet in Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, 1 to 3 feet in southern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina, and 1 to 2 feet in deep southeastern Virginia.

Surf swells created by Hurricane Arthur will affect the east-central coast of Florida all the way up the coast to South Carolina. Dangerous rip currents can cause life-threatening situations for those along the coast.

Areas affected by Hurricane Arthur

Here is the complete list of watches and warnings in effect.

A hurricane warning is in effect for:

• the areas between Surf City, North Carolina and the North Carolina-Virginia border
• Pamlico Sound, North Carolina
• Eastern Albemarle Sound, North Carolina

Those within this area should make preparations immediately as hurricane conditions are expected in this area. Hurricane Arthur is predicted to approach this area as early as Thursday night.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the areas between Little River Inlet to the southern areas of Surf City, North Carolina. Hurricane conditions are possible within this area beginning Thursday evening, but may change with any changes in forecast.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

• the areas between the South Santee River, South Carolina to just south of Surf City, North Carolina
• the areas between the North Carolina-Virginia border to Cape Charles Light, Virginia including the Chesapeake Bay
• Western Albemarle Sound, North Carolina

These areas should expect tropical storm conditions as early as Thursday afternoon.

**END OF UPDATE**

**UPDATE, July 2**

As of Wednesday morning, July 2, Arthur has gained strength as it moves northward. Overnight, a hurricane watch was placed for the areas between the Bogue Inlet and Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, as well as Pamlico Sound. Hurricane conditions are possible in this area within the next 48 hours, as early as Thursday night.

This watch is in addition to the tropical storm watch in effect for:

• Florida- the area between the Sebastian Inlet to Flagler Beach, and
• North Carolina- the area between the South Santee River to south of the Bogue Inlet, the area north of the Oregon Inlet to the Virginia border and the Eastern Albemarle Sound.

Tropical storm conditions are possible in this area within the next 36 to 48 hours. Currently Arthur is moving north at 6 miles per hour, a motion which forecasters predict will maintain throughout Wednesday with a turn to the north-northeast on Thursday, July 3 and an increase in forward speed. Arthur will move parallel to the east-central coast of Florida and pass northeastern Florida by Wednesday night and will be moving parallel to the South Carolina coast as early as Thursday, as it approaches the hurricane watch area by Thursday night.

Winds have reached 60 miles per hour, with strengthening to occur over the next 48 hours where it will become a hurricane by Thursday. Tropical storm force winds extend 80 miles from the center of the storm. Arthur may produce 1 to 2 inches of rain across the eastern Florida peninsula as well as coastal parts of North Carolina, with some areas getting 4 inches of rain. Rains drenching the Bahamas will decrease throughout Wednesday.

Tropical  Storm Arthur is currently located 100 miles east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, FL and 275 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. Dangerous surf swell conditions still exist along the east-central coast of Florida, however they will spread north to the northeast Florida coast, as well as the Georgia and South Carolina coast today.

**END Of UPDATE**

Tropical Storm Arthur has quickly formed overnight off the Florida coast near Cape Canaveral on Tuesday, July 1. Currently the storm is located 85 miles east-southeast of Cape Canaveral and 95 miles north-northwest of Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.

Arthur Expected To Become A Hurricane

Arthur has reached sustained wind speeds of 50 miles per hour, and will continue to strengthen over the next two days possibly becoming a hurricane as early as tomorrow, Wednesday, July 2. The newly formed tropical storm is moving northwest at 2 miles per hour, which forecasters predict will continue throughout Tuesday night. Then the storm is expected to turn north on Wednesday. Because of the storm’s proximity to Florida, a tropical storm watch has been placed for the east coast of Florida from Fort Pierce to Flagler Beach. This means that the tropical storm conditions can be expected in this area over the next 24 hours, possibly as early as Tuesday night. Further watches or warnings may be placed on other areas of the coast of Florida as the storm progresses.

Arthur’s Future

The cyclone is expected to remain offshore and move east, parallel to Florida’s east-central coast and will continue to pass northeastern Florida on Wednesday night possibly affecting the North Carolina coast as early as Thursday morning. It is expected to remain off of North Carolina’s coast, but once near the state forecasters predict the storm winds will have reached between 80 and 90 miles per hour. Fourth of July plans along the southeaster coast have been paused or completely stopped due to the lurking weather. Currently, tropical storm force winds extend outward from the center of the storm up to 70 miles, and some areas on Grand Bahama Island have reported wind speeds of 39 miles per hour. Grand Bahama Island could possibly get 2 to 4 inches of rain, with small pockets of 6 inches of rain in some areas throughout Wednesday. Surf swells caused by Tropical Storm Arthur will affect areas along the east-central coast of Florida. These swells could cause dangerous situations for those along piers and jetties. These conditions will extend northward along the Georgia coast throughout Wednesday. Checking back for any updates on the latest major storm to affect the United States.