The NHC is reporting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday that Tropical Storm Chris is in a stationary position about 215 miles (350 kilometers) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Maximum sustained winds have strengthened to 70 mph (110 kph), while the minimum central pressure has dropped to 996 MB or 29.42 inches.
Chris has remained nearly stationary the past several hours, and little motion is expected during the next day or so. At this time, there are no coastal warnings, however, coastal residents in North Carolina should be monitoring local weather assets.
North Carolina officials are warning residents and vacationers to be cautious, citing the death of a 62-year-old Kill Devil Hills man who drowned while swimming in rough surf on Saturday.
“We are saddened that rough waters have tragically claimed a life, and I urge people along our coast to be cautious, especially if they plan to be in and on the water,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement Monday. “While we do not expect major impacts from this storm, we will continue to watch it closely.”
And for those that don’t believe the surf can be roiled up when the storm is over 200 miles away, many North Carolina beaches are closed because of the rough surf and riptides. Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue reported on Monday they had rescued about 20 people from the ocean on Sunday, and 75 people have been rescued since July 4.
Maritime Canada forecast
Up in Canada, the city of Fredericton, New Brunswick is taking no chances, especially after memories of the spring flood are still vivid memories for folks.
Environment Canada is still expecting Chris to arrive later this week, but forecasts are for the storm to weaken and pass south of Nova Scotia, skirting the Maritimes altogether. But, as with forecasting several days ahead, things can change says the Fredericton’s Emergency Measures Organization.
“We remind ourselves of 2014 when Arthur hit us,” said Wayne Tallon, the EMO director. Hurricane Arthur was downgraded to a tropical storm, and the forecast suggested Nova Scotia would bear the brunt of the winds. But, the storm veered off its track and slammed into New Brunswick,
However, CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon says the current track of tropical storm Chris indicates it will run wide of the city. “I can say that as of now, the chances of Fredericton being impacted are pretty low,” said Snoddon.
Remnants of Beryl
An area of showers and thunderstorms associated with the remnants of Beryl is producing locally heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds over the northeastern Caribbean Sea, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, according to the NHC.
This system is expected to move quickly west-northwestward for the next day or so, passing over Hispaniola tonight and emerging over the Atlantic waters near the southeastern Bahamas on Tuesday. Unfavorable upper-level winds and interaction with land should prevent redevelopment during the next day or so.
However, but environmental conditions are forecast to become a little more conducive for regeneration of a tropical cyclone on Wednesday or Thursday. Formation chance through 48 hours is low – or 10 percent. Formation chance through 5 days rises to medium – or 50 percent.
